Lowndes County, Alabama (pop. 10,311), between Montgomery and Selma, is protected entirely by volunteers. Nine volunteer fire departments cover the county's 716 square miles of land: Hayneville, the county seat, plus Fort Deposit, Lowndesboro, White Hall, Calhoun, Collirene, Burkeville, Sandy Ridge and Hicks Hill / Black Belt. Fire and medical emergencies are dispatched through Lowndes County 911 in Hayneville.
Lowndes County 911 / Dispatch (non-emergency)
(334) 548-2222- Lowndes County Emergency Communication District (911 office): (334) 548-5375
- Lowndes County Sheriff's Office: (334) 548-2151
- Hayneville Volunteer Fire Department: (334) 548-2128
- Hayneville VFD, 241 W Tuskeena St, Hayneville, AL 36040, USA
- al911.gov — Emergency Communication Districts (Lowndes County ECD)
Who Provides Fire Protection in Lowndes County
- Nine volunteer fire departments, each listed by the Alabama Forestry Commission with its own station: Hayneville, Fort Deposit, Lowndesboro, White Hall, Calhoun, Collirene, Burkeville, Sandy Ridge and Hicks Hill / Black Belt.
- No career (paid) fire department operates in the county. Fort Deposit, the largest town, is registered as a volunteer department with one station.
The Lowndes County Emergency Communication District, based in Hayneville, runs the county's single 911 answering point. Member numbers of the volunteer departments are not published. 911 sends the right department based on your address.
Fire Departments in Lowndes County
| Department | Type | Main station | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayneville VFD | Volunteer | 241 W Tuskeena St, Hayneville, AL 36040 | (334) 548-2128 |
| Burkeville VFD | Volunteer | 795 County Rd 37 S, Hope Hull, AL 36043 | Not published |
| Calhoun VFD | Volunteer | 1216 Mushatt Rd, Letohatchee, AL 36047 | (334) 548-2020 |
| Collirene VFD | Volunteer | 3824 County Rd 9, Tyler, AL 36785 | (334) 874-8688 |
| Fort Deposit Fire Department | Volunteer | 308 Old Fort Rd E, Fort Deposit, AL 36032 | (334) 404-4444 |
| Hicks Hill / Black Belt VFD | Volunteer | 5649 County Rd 17, Hayneville, AL 36040 | (334) 220-9694 |
| Lowndesboro VFD | Volunteer | 3 School Rd, Lowndesboro, AL 36752 | (334) 278-3337 |
| Sandy Ridge VFD | Volunteer | 6001 US Hwy 31, Letohatchee, AL 36047 | Not published |
| White Hall VFD | Volunteer | 625 Freedom Rd, Lowndesboro, AL 36752 | (334) 875-5703 |
Volunteer stations are not always staffed. For anything urgent, call 911 or Lowndes County 911/Dispatch at (334) 548-2222 rather than a station number.
Estimated Response Time
Every department in Lowndes County is volunteer, so crews must first reach the station before rolling out. Nine stations share about 716 square miles of land, an average distance to the nearest station of roughly 5.0 miles. With about 14 residents per square mile, the whole county falls in the rural class.
| Radius | Volunteer departments |
|---|---|
| ≤ 1.5 mi | 8–12 min |
| 1.5–3 mi | 10–14 min |
| 3–6 mi | 12–18 min |
| > 6 mi | 18+ min |
Typical expectation: about 12–18 minutes for most addresses, and 8–12 minutes close to a station in Hayneville, Fort Deposit or Lowndesboro.
Estimated Fire Control Time
| Fire size | Example | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Grass patch, dumpster, small vehicle | 5–20 min |
| Medium | Room-and-contents, car fully involved | 15–45 min |
| Large | Whole house, commercial unit | 45–120 min |
| Major | Multi-alarm, industrial, large woodland fire | 2–12+ hours |
Most roads have no hydrants, so water comes by tanker and neighboring volunteers are called in; expect the upper end of each range. The county is rolling prairie and flat plain dotted with pine and oak forest, and woodland fires are fought with the Alabama Forestry Commission. The Alabama River flows through the county, Interstate 65 runs near the eastern border and US 80 crosses the northern part of the county.
Apparatus & Equipment
Lowndes County's volunteer departments do not publish fleet lists or apparatus counts.
- Fire suppression
- Tanker water supply
- Wildland
- Mutual aid
Ratings & Accreditation
ISO Public Protection Classification ratings for Lowndes County's fire departments are not published.
Outdoor burning: In Alabama, a permit from the Alabama Forestry Commission, (800) 392-5679, is required for burns larger than ¼ acre, and statewide no-burn orders can apply during droughts. Inside town limits, check town rules with the local fire department.
Neighboring Counties
- Autauga County, AL (north)
- Montgomery County, AL (east)
- Crenshaw County, AL (southeast)
- Butler County, AL (south)
- Wilcox County, AL (southwest)
- Dallas County, AL (west)
FAQ
What is the non-emergency number for fire in Lowndes County?
Lowndes County 911/Dispatch: (334) 548-2222. The Lowndes County 911 district office answers (334) 548-5375. For any fire or medical emergency, always call 911.
Which fire departments serve Lowndes County?
Nine volunteer fire departments: Hayneville, Fort Deposit, Lowndesboro, White Hall, Calhoun, Collirene, Burkeville, Sandy Ridge and Hicks Hill / Black Belt. 911 dispatches the right department based on your address.
Does Hayneville have a full-time fire department?
No. Hayneville is served by the Hayneville Volunteer Fire Department at 241 W Tuskeena St, (334) 548-2128. Fort Deposit's department is also volunteer.
How fast does the fire department respond in Lowndes County?
About 12–18 minutes for the first unit at most addresses, and about 8–12 minutes close to a station, because volunteers must first reach the station.
Do I need a burn permit in Lowndes County?
Burns larger than ¼ acre need an Alabama Forestry Commission permit from (800) 392-5679. Inside town limits, check local rules with the fire department.
Last verified:
- Alabama Forestry Commission — Volunteer Fire Departments (August 2025) (departments, addresses, phones)
- Alabama 911 Board — Emergency Communication Districts (Lowndes County ECD phone, office, PSAP)
- Alabama DHR — After-Hours/Emergency Numbers by County (2025) (Lowndes 911/Dispatch line)
- Alabama Secretary of State — County lookup (Sheriff's Office phone)
- Alabama Forestry Commission — Burn Permits
- NERIS registry — Fort Deposit Fire Department (volunteer, one station, address)
- Encyclopedia of Alabama — Lowndes County (terrain, river, highways)
- Wikipedia — Lowndes County, Alabama (2020 population, area, neighbors)