Mayor and commissioners on Oct. 7 proclaimed October 2025 as Fire Prevention Week in Dothan and recognized members of the Dothan Fire Department for service and outreach efforts.

Mayor read a proclamation noting the National Fire Prevention Week theme “Charge Into Fire Safety: Lithium Ion Batteries in Your Home,” calling attention to fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries and urging residents to buy listed products, charge batteries safely and recycle them responsibly. Fire Chief Larry Williams joined Deputy Chiefs Chris Etheridge and David Hasty at the podium.

Deputy Chief Chris Etheridge told commissioners the department will focus outreach to schools and daycares with more than 30 programs scheduled for the month, aiming to contact about 4,500 young people and reinforce home-exit drills and smoke-alarm testing. Etheridge said the department targets safety education for both very young and very old residents.

Chief David Hasty and department leaders presented annual awards: Rookie of the Year to Firefighter Angie Lane; Firefighter of the Year to Nate Grabber (unable to attend); Sergeant of the Year to Sergeant Taylor Lee; and Officer of the Year (captain rank) to Justin (last name not stated). Commissioners praised the department’s ISO 1 rating and its community risk reduction efforts.

The proclamation and awards were ceremonial, and no policy action was required. The department requested continued community cooperation with safety checks and reporting of nonworking street and security lights via Dothan Utilities.