Berea Fire Dept

10/13/2026

Last week, Chief JJ Arrowood attended the Enhanced All-Hazards Incident Management/Unified Command course at Texas A&M's Extension Service (TEEX) in College Station,Texas.

Alongside 40 other fire, EMS, and law enforcement professionals from agencies big and small, students trained on unified command strategies for large-scale emergencies.

This hands-on experience strengthened interagency coordination and fostered nationwide connections—advancing a whole-community approach to disaster response.

Chief Arrowood is the third chief officer with our department to attend this training in the last year. All expenses are covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

09/28/2026

Earlier this year, our Chief of Training, Justin Church, was notified of his acceptance into the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program. This two-year, graduate-level program is designed to help chief officers develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their organizations, and the communities they serve.

Last week, Chief Church completed the first two-week residency at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where the focus was on the “Self” component of the program. Over the next year and a half, he will continue his studies through the “Organization” and “Community” segments, while also completing virtual coursework.

The program culminates in a capstone project that requires participants to identify a specific issue affecting their community, conduct extensive research, and develop a comprehensive research paper. This final project must be presented to a panel at the National Fire Academy in the spring of 2028 before graduating from the program.

09/24/2026

Thank you to A Child’s Haven for hosting a car seat safety event and allowing us to participate. It was very successful and well organized. Twenty-five car seats were inspected, with twenty-one being replaced with new seats for being expired or unsafe.

09/11/2026

Today, our department came together for our annual 9/11 Memorial Breakfast, a meaningful tradition that allows current and retired members to gather in reflection, remembrance, and fellowship.

As we marked 25 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we took time to honor the lives lost, remember the sacrifices made, and reflect on the lasting impact that day had on our nation and our profession. It was also an opportunity to strengthen the bonds that unite us, celebrating the brotherhood and camaraderie that continue to define our department.

While we missed seeing some of our members this year, the tremendous turnout was a testament to the strength of our department and our unwavering commitment to one another and to the community we proudly serve.

Never forget. 🇺🇸

09/11/2026

09/01/2026

Congratulations to Firefighter Lucas Moore on successfully completing his Relief Driver Evaluation!

This achievement represents a significant milestone and reflects Lucas's dedication, knowledge, and commitment to the fire service. To complete this evaluation, he demonstrated competency in a variety of pumping scenarios that could be encountered on the fireground, including performing critical calculations and managing complex hose layouts.

The driver/operator plays a vital role in the success and safety of fireground operations, making this evaluation an important step in professional development. Great work, Lucas!

08/28/2026

This week, our Chief of Training, Justin Church, along with Captains Vaughan and Williams, attended the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI) conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The conference brought together presenters from across the country to share knowledge and best practices on a variety of important topics. Sessions included discussions on the critical role of the training officer, reviews and practical applications of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards related to live fire training, and presentations from educational specialists who explained how people learn and how the brain processes and retains instruction.

The week concluded with a visit to the Scottsdale Fire Department’s new state-of-the-art training facility. There, attendees continued discussions on the importance of adhering to live fire training standards and participated in hands-on training, including the use of thermal imaging cameras and company drills.

We are committed to continuous improvement, professional development, and delivering the highest level of service to our community. Opportunities like this not only help us become better instructors for our personnel, but also ensure that our department is providing the most knowledgeable, capable, and well-prepared firefighters possible to serve our community!

08/14/2026

For those inquiring about the purchase of our 9/11 memorial shirt, please see the information below.

🇺🇸 25 YEARS OF HONOR | 9.11.01 — 9.11.26 🇺🇸

I’m incredibly grateful to Berea Fire Department for trusting me with the opportunity to bring this project to life in honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11th.

This design was created alongside the incredibly talented Blake Southerland, who brought the artwork and vision together so beautifully. It has been such an honor getting to take his work and turn it into something that can be worn in remembrance of the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice and all those whose lives were forever changed that day.

BFD will be wearing their version of this shirt as part of their uniform for a designated period of time. Out of respect for the department—and to maintain the distinction and integrity of their professional uniform—we intentionally made the public version a little different, while keeping the heart and meaning behind the design the same.

Even more importantly, a portion of the proceeds from every public shirt sold will benefit Reignite Hope, (LEO Santa Toy Drive )a local charity helping provide basic necessities to families in our own community who have lost their homes and belongings to fire.
It felt especially meaningful that a shirt created to honor the fallen 343 could also give back to families affected by fire right here at home. ❤️🤍💙

Orders Will remain open until August 26th at 11PM.
Shirts will be produced prior to September 11th.

Shirts are $25

25 Years of Honor. 343. Never Forget.
👇 Click the link below to place your order!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1fXB3vYtMgqlvaBjzpaEDK-zMm2B2OVFylkK7Cgac0fJ_Fw/viewform?usp=header

08/13/2026

As we approach the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in our nation, we pause to remember a day that forever changed our nation. Each year, we honor the innocent lives lost and reflect on the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and selflessness displayed by first responders who rushed into danger to save others.

This milestone anniversary carries a special significance. To commemorate the occasion, our department asked Lieutenant Blake Southerland, a talented artist and member of our team, to design this year's annual memorial shirt. His artwork serves as a tribute to everyone who tragically lost their lives, as well as the firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and countless others who answered the call without hesitation.

As Americans, we should never forget the strength and unity that emerged from the darkness of that day. This year's design is more than a shirt; it is a symbol of remembrance, respect, and gratitude. It honors the civilians who never made it home and the heroes who risked everything in service to others.

May we continue to carry their memories forward, cherish the freedoms we hold dear, and stand united in the spirit of resilience, patriotism, and hope.