Words by Anna Lee Vaughn | Images by Justin Hunter
Cade Bell was recently named Chief of Townley Fire and Rescue. Though he has already started serving, his position will officially take effect on January 1, 2024. Cade is a Townley native, and his grandfather, Danny Jones, served as the community’s Fire Chief for 37 years before his passing in 2019.
Recalling cherished memories of accompanying his grandfather on emergency calls and spending countless afternoons at the fire station, Cade reflects on his lifelong immersion in the world of firefighting, stating, “My Papa didn’t believe in daycare, so he would take me around to all these calls. I’ve been in it my whole life. It’s all I know.”
After a brief stint at college in Mississippi, Cade decided to uphold the family legacy. Returning home, he obtained an EMT license and commenced his career with Regional Paramedic Services (RPS), and later joined Hueytown Fire and Rescue.
Today, Cade continues part-time work with RPS, full-time with Hueytown Fire and Rescue, and serves as Fire Chief for Townley. “My free time is pretty much non-existent,” Cade laughs. “But my Papa would always do anything for anyone, and he instilled in me the value of helping others. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life besides helping people. It makes me feel proud to be there for others when they need it.”
In the future, Cade looks forward to serving the Townley community and bettering its Fire and Rescue Department by securing grants, acquiring new equipment, and recruiting new members.
The Walker Leader congratulates Cade Bell on his new position, and we thank him for his service to Townley and the surrounding communities! WL
