Centerville Volunteer Fire Department
Contact Information
In an emergency, call 911 for an immediate response. The Centerville Fire Hall is located at 126 North Central Avenue in Centerville, adjacent to the Maintenance Department Building.
Al Baltz—Fire Chief. Baltz began his career as a firefighter in Nashville in 1990, where he remains. In the late 1990s, he joined the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department as an unpaid member.
Cody Johnson, Deputy Fire Chief. McCord serves as Chief when Baltz is working or unavailable.
Johnathan Jenkins, Assistant Fire Chief.
Social Media and Functions
The bond among firefighters is vital to their functioning as a team driven by their hearts — a commitment to serve and protect people from fire and other emergencies. Maintaining social connections and friendships within that brotherhood is critical.
Centerville Volunteer Fire Department maintains a Facebook page to share photos and memories of meals, training, and other events in building those bonds.
The Centerville Fire Department is an all-volunteer organization comprised of approximately thirty Centerville citizens who share a mission to provide skilled, professional, and caring lifesaving services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The department's motto is “Dedicated to Serve.” The Department offers fire protection and rescue services to the community of Centerville, Tennessee, and those who travel through it.
About the Volunteers
Eleven of the 30 members are trained, full-time professional firefighters in Nashville, Brentwood, and other nearby cities. The Departments operate on a schedule where employees are stationed at the fire department 24 hours a day and are immediately available. After their tour, they are off for 36 hours. Some departments work a 48/96-hour schedule. The scheduling means trained professionals are usually in Centerville on their off days.
Baltz says that 24 members are typically available when there is a significant event, and mutual aid agreements provide additional personnel and resources via mutual aid agreements.
Services
The Centerville Volunteer Fire Department provides multiple services, including, but not limited to:
- Fire Suppression
- First Responder/Emergency Medical
- Technical Rescue
- Hazmat
- Fire Prevention/Fire Codes
- Public Fire Education
- Swift Water Rescue. The Centerville Volunteer Fire Department is the only unit equipped and trained for service throughout the county.
Training
All firefighters require extensive, continuous training.
For new volunteers, at least 16 hours of training in the Firefighter One class. Following that training, volunteers receive training as Emergency Medical Responders.
The force has qualified trainers, but most training is provided through the Tennessee Fore Codes Enforcement Academy.
Seven of the professional members are trained paramedics and certified trainers.
Operations
The Fire Department has a new, well-equipped fire hall just north of the public square.
The fire hall houses a heavy rescue truck, a pumper, a ladder truck, other vehicles, and swiftwater rescue boats and equipment.
With careful budgeting and the help of the Centerville Industrial Development Board, the Department has secured well-maintained equipment for a small fraction of the new cost.
