The AFC (Alabama Fire College) was our home for the over two years following the tornado in 2011. The Central church of Christ met each Lord's Day and Wednesday evening within the facility. At our official Dedication Service on July 14, 2013, we acknowledged the tremendous contribution they made to support the Central Family after more than two years of worshipping in their facility. We are deeply indebted to them for all their love and concern exhibited to our congregation. Without their help, we do not know what the future would have been like. The pictures contained on this page show the history of our time there. We have been truly blessed by this relationship and thank God for their existence. To Frank Wampol of B. L. Harbert International and Allan Rice (Director) & David Thornburg (Training Section Chief of the AFC). Thank you and God Bless!

What our time there was like....:  
Within the garage bay, where the fire trucks were pulled inside at the end of each day, we pulled out and assembled our chairs in rows in the garage bay area. This empty garage transformed into the 'house' that we used to assemble to worship God each week. At the conclusion of each Sunday and Wednesday evening worship service, the chairs were folded, stacked up and carried back to the storage closet to make room for the fire trucks to be pulled back into the garage bay that evening.

How we came to be at the Alabama Fire College is such a remarkable story. The actions of one of the members of the Riverchase church of Christ has shown us God's Bountiful Love and Mercy.  After the April 27, 2011, tornado that destroyed our building at Hargrove Road, this member took a special interest in us. While in Tuscaloosa, working with our members through Disaster Relief, he was impacted by our loss and called one of our members about a possible meeting location for us to use during our absence from Hargrove Road.  Mr. Frank Wampol, Elder at Riverchase church of Christ and Corporate Safety Director of B. L. Harbert, called to arrange a meeting between us and the AFC.  Some of our deacons and elders, met with Director Allan Rice and Training Section Chief David Thornburg of the Alabama Fire College. Allan Rice extended the invitation for our congregation to use the Alabama Fire College as our temporary meeting place. On behalf of Central, our Deacons accepted the offer to allow our congregation to use the Alabama Fire College. Through this relationship, we have come to know and love the people of the AFC and their wonderful facility. David Thornburg met with one of our deacons, Chris Clark, on a frequent basis and did everything possible to accommodate the needs of the Central Family using the AFC.  We will forever be in their debt!

The Alabama Fire College has the standard of only Excellence in Training: The training events are where fire fighters become the full-time professional fire fighters that we are so dependent on during natural disasters. They are the Rescuers, the ones that go into dark burning buildings in the hopes of saving a human life. We honor them for their valiant service!  

​The Firefighter Oath
As a firefighter,
I will protect life and property
from the devastation of fire
and other disasters

As an emergency medical responder,
I will provide medical care
to any person in need,
to the utmost of my ability and training.

I shall be committed to
the brotherhood of public service.

I will respect, honor and obey
the laws and ordinances
of the jurisdiction I serve.

All this I pledge to do in honor
of those who have gone before
and those who will follow after,
so, help me God.