Southside Fire and Rescue provides emergency medical, fire protection, rescue, and community risk reduction services to the citizens and visitors to the City of Southside. Citizens of the community started the volunteer fire department in 1962. The Advanced Life Support EMS program was started in 1976. From its humble beginnings, the members raised the money needed to purchase the equipment and vehicles and  to convert them for emergency use. 

Southside Fire and Rescue is a combination department consisting of 12 career and 15 volunteer firefighters and EMTs. We are a suburban community with approximately 9,500 people in the 18 square mile coverage area. 

We are currently building a new fire station that will allow us to have 24/7 staffed coverage for the first time in our history. The new station will be located at 3170 Highway 77 and will have 4 bays along with living and administrative facilities. 

Southside has been the fastest growing community in Etowah County and as a result the call volume has increased. Due to the steady increase in demand for services, we implemented new approaches to face these challenges. 

• Increased volunteer membership
• Added a 12-hour duty crew
• Transferred dispatch services to Etowah County 911
• Hosted in house training classes for firefighting  and emergency medical services
• Enacted Automatic aid agreements with neighboring jurisdictions
• Updated apparatus and equipment
• Added advanced life support equipment to 1-fire engine and AEDs to the Chiefs’ vehicles
• Added CPR compression devices, AEDs, advanced IV therapy equipment, and video intubation equipment
• Updated policies and procedures
• Improved training opportunities by partnering with neighboring fire and EMS departments

These initiatives have helped us to reduce property and life loss, reduce response times by 20%, improve firefighter and EMT safety, and improve the quality of life for our customers.