City of Alcoa Fire Department

Fire Hydrant Quality Assurance Program

The City of Alcoa Fire Department will begin annual fire hydrant testing on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. The program includes inspection, maintenance, and flow testing of fire hydrants throughout the City of Alcoa.

National fire standards recommend routine hydrant testing to ensure that hydrants operate properly and that adequate water pressure is available for firefighting purposes. Most flow testing will take place Tuesday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Nighttime flow testing in commercial areas will be scheduled later.
Because many fire hydrants are rarely used, this program helps identify issues that could delay emergency response during a fire.

Common problems include:
• Hydrant valves that do not operate properly
• Caps that cannot be removed
• Inadequate water pressure
• Broken or damaged water lines

Water Discoloration Notice
During hydrant flow testing, iron deposits inside water lines may become disturbed, causing temporary brown discoloration in the water. This condition is harmless and typically clears within a few hours.

Residents are encouraged to:
• Run cold water and check for discoloration before use
• Avoid washing white clothing until the water runs clear
• Limit hot water usage until discoloration is gone to help prevent sediment buildup in water heaters

Program Benefits
1. Ensures fire hydrants are operational and ready for emergency use
2. Helps reduce iron buildup in water lines and improves overall water quality
All residents should check the clarity of their water during testing days before washing laundry.

For questions or concerns, please contact the City of Alcoa Service Center at 865-380-4800. Residents may report discoloration at their location, and personnel will respond and flush the nearest water main if needed.

The Alcoa Fire Department (AFD) continues to build on its legacy of excellence, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public safety for the residents and visitors of Alcoa. As an internationally accredited agency through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) and an ISO Class 1 department, AFD remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards in emergency services through continuous improvement, strategic focus, and accountability.

In 2025, AFD demonstrated its operational readiness and all-hazards capability by responding to 2,873 calls for service. These incidents spanned fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, technical rescue operations, and public service calls, highlighting the department’s versatility and reliability in meeting the community’s needs. Supporting this mission, 38 personnel completed an impressive 11,908 hours of training, ensuring proficiency across critical disciplines, including fireground operations, EMS, leadership development, and specialized rescue techniques.

AFD’s proactive approach to community risk reduction remained a cornerstone of its service delivery. Firefighters conducted 648 pre-incident plans to enhance preparedness for emergencies in key occupancies, while also performing 359 fire inspections to promote code compliance and life safety in both new and existing commercial buildings. Additionally, crews flow-tested and painted 727 fire hydrants, reinforcing the reliability and visibility of the city’s water supply system, which is an essential component of effective fire suppression.

Community engagement and public education efforts continued to make a meaningful impact. Through 32 outreach events, AFD connected with 4,649 citizens, providing valuable safety information through school programs, station tours, and community events. The department also directly enhanced life safety by installing 126 smoke detectors and 14 child car seats, helping protect some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

As Alcoa continues to grow, the Alcoa Fire Department remains focused on the future, leveraging data-driven decision-making, investing in personnel development, and strengthening partnerships across agencies. Through strategic planning, targeted investments, and a steadfast commitment to service, AFD stands ready to meet the evolving needs of the community while protecting life and property with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.

We are appreciative of our Alcoa Firefighters and Administrative staff for all their hard work in our city.

Happy Administrative Professionals’ Day to all of these administrative assistants and especially to our very own Staci McCosh. Thank you for the hard work, dedication, and organization you bring to the department every day. Your efforts keep us on track and ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. We truly appreciate all that you do for our department and our community.

Today is Administrative Professionals’ Day, a special time to celebrate the incredible administrative assistants who keep our city departments running smoothly behind the scenes.

Their hard work, organization, and dedication provide every department with the vital support we rely on every day. A HUGE thank you goes to each of them for everything they do to support our teams and serve our community with excellence.

We are so lucky to have them!

The City of Alcoa Police and Fire Departments are asking the public to give input on the services offered by the departments. Please fill out the survey to let the APD and AFD know how they are doing! Use this link to fill out the survey: https://polco.us/sx2dty

This survey is 19 questions long and should take less than five minutes to complete. Any input provided in this survey is greatly appreciated!

Emergency Services Response Survey 2026 The City of Alcoa Police and Fire Department are asking the public to give input on the services offered by the departments. Please fill out the survey to let the APD and AFD know how they are doing! This survey is 19 questions long and should take less than five minutes to complete. Any input provi...

FYI for the traffic on Alcoa Highway due to downed power lines. Expected time for reopening is within the hour.

Chief Colin Hurst and members of the Alcoa Fire Department are pleased to welcome three new firefighters to our team. On February 11th, Logan Granger, Daniel Matveev, and Josh Timm participated in our Swearing-In and Badge Pinning Ceremony. Congratulations and welcome to AFD!