Woodard new Haleyville fire chief

HALEYVILLE - A new era in leadership has begun for the Haleyville Fire Department, with a new fire chief, new full-time personnel and a strong desire from the department and the city to move forward.
Justin Woodard, who has been working as a part-time firefighter in the department, was named fire chief by a unanimous vote of the Haleyville City Council at their regular meeting February 2, opening the door for positive growth and a new direction for the department, Mayor Dr. Ray Boshell stated.
“The fire department is doing great,” Boshell confirmed. “We’re in a rebuilding stage right now.”
Five new applications for volunteer firefighters have come in, with more expected, the mayor added.
“We have hired three full-time firemen, one fire chief and a couple of part-time,” Boshell explained.“The department is very strong.
“So everything is covered. Everything is good.  We are growing,” Boshell added.
Although the fire department has faced turnover recently with the resignation of now former fire chief Jeff Postell, as well as the resignation of its other two full-time firefighters, all due to pursuing careers elsewhere, the department is seeing a positive turnaround, Boshell indicated.
“The chief is already talking to us, equipment-wise, about the plans for next year, what we need to be looking at and thinking (about). We’re making some plans with him,” Boshell said.