Calera Council is taking action that will require burn permits so the fire department will be aware when someone is conducting a controlled burn.

Calera Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Brian Norton told the council during its Tuesday meeting that the department has been dispatched to many fires that turned out to be someone burning brush piles.

“We want some kind of notification,” Norton said, adding that he did not want a fee charged for the permits.

The council plans to amend the town’s fire ordinance to require a burn permit. Additional action was tabled until next month’s meeting.

Mayor James Eaton asked that citizens planning on having controlled burns to notify town hall.

In other news, Calera Fire-Rescue responded to 12 medical calls, one structure, five automobile accidents, three grass fires and one car fire last month, according to a report by Chief Kevin Carlton.

The police department investigated and/or made arrests or wrote citations for the following incidents in March: Public intoxication, two; no driver’s license, six; domestic assault and battery, one; trespassing, one, warrant service, seven; no insurance, five; DUI drugs, one; driving while revoked, one; felony eluding, one; driving under suspension, six; marijuana possession, one; paraphernalia possession, one; giving false information to police, one; child endangerment, one; contributing to delinquency of minor, one; possession of pills without a prescription, three; vandalism, three, burglary, two; domestic violence, one; injury to child, one, and larceny, one.

Calera Emergency Management responded to the following incidents or training sessions, according to a report by EM Director Butch Scalf: Attended southeastern area emergency management planning meeting, responded to an 18-wheeler wreck, participated in a tornado drill at the school, responded to a mobile home fire in Platter, responded to a search and rescue of a child in Colbert, and participated in a conference call about setting up Calera for a mass-notification system.