Fire service agreement terminated after 33 years, prompting community meeting in Crawford
A community meeting is scheduled this week following months of intense public conversation after the termination of a fire department agreement.
Salem Volunteer Fire Department terminated an agreement with Crawford Volunteer Fire Department on Sept. 30 2025. The agreement between the departments has been in place since 1992.
Agreement between Crawford VFD and Salem VFD
In the agreement, it outlines that Crawford Volunteer Fire Department would provide fire protection services to an area of Lee County, as it is “safer, more practical and more efficient.”
The area of coverage involves several Lee County roads and State Highway 169, forming a loop that starts and ends at the southern boundary of Lee County. The boundary follows Lee Road 170 north to State Highway 169, then southeast along Highway 169 to Lee Road 240, then east and southeast along Lee Road 240 to Lee Road 179, and finally south along Lee Road 179 back to the starting point.
The agreement says Crawford Volunteer Fire Department will be paid for providing fire protection using the portion of Salem Fire District’s fire protection fees that come from properties in the area. Each year, officials calculate how much of those fees apply to the area, and Salem Volunteer Fire Department sends that share to Crawford Volunteer Fire Department within ten days after receiving the funds.
The document also says the contract can be terminated at any time by mutual written consent of both parties: Crawford and Salem volunteer fire departments.
Termination by Salem Volunteer Fire Department
The agreement was eventually terminated in September of 2025 during the Board of Directors of the Salem Volunteer Fire Department meeting. In a termination letter obtained by CNAW2News.com, Russell Bush, a retired judge and attorney representing Salem Volunteer Fire Department, says the “[agreement] no longer represents the best interests of the Salem Volunteer Fire Department, nor the affected residents of Lee County referenced in said Agreement.”
Image: CNAW2News.com
All calls within the affected area of Lee County are being handled by Salem Volunteer Fire Department, as of Oct. 1, 2025, according to the letter.
All 2025 Lee County Fire Protection fees owed to the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department under the agreement and a 2022 memorandum of understanding have been paid by Salem, according to Bush’s letter. As of October 1, 2025, Salem will no longer remit Lee County fire protection fees to Crawford VFD for services in the affected area.
Crawford Volunteer Fire Department’s Response
Crawford Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Chief Tim Jenkins sent a response back in an emailed letter which was obtained by CNAW2News.com.
Image: CNAW2News.com
In the letter, Jenkins said the department did not agree with the termination and the “unilateral decision” to terminate the agreement “constitutes a material breach of contract, as termination explicitly requires the written consent of both parties.”
Crawford Volunteer Fire Department said they will continue responding to 911 calls as long as dispatched and providing mutual aid as able, while prioritizing community safety. Also in the response, Jenkins said “[Crawford VFD] reserves all legal rights under the 1992 Agreement and may pursue appropriate legal remedies for Salem VFD’s breach of contract.”
Image: Lee County EMA/911
Crawford Volunteer Fire Department is currently requesting that the Lee County Commission formally establish and recognize a permanent fire protection coverage area under Alabama Constitutional Amendment 392. The proposed coverage area matches the territory continuously served by Crawford Volunteer Fire Department since 1974 and is already reflected on Lee County EMA and 911 maps.
Meeting Planned
Following the termination, social media posts, commission meetings, and impacts to the community, a community meeting is scheduled.
Image: Google Earth
The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. eastern standard time / 6 p.m. central standard time on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, at the Legacies Senior Center and Crawford Community Center, at 5 Alabama Highway 169 South.
Crawford Volunteer Fire Department officials said they will be presenting their side of the contract termination.
Bush said Salem Volunteer Fire Department “will be present and address all of these matters [their side, the reason behind the termination, and how the department expects to respond to calls].”
Attendees will be able to understand the impact of the agreement cancellation, discuss future fire protection options, learn how emergency response may be affected, and share concerns and hear from local representatives.
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