The Vestavia Hills Fire Department soon will be able to connect virtually with the Alabama Fire College and other area departments after a grant was awarded to several area fire departments.
A federal regional assistance grant was recently was awarded to the Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills fire departments and Rocky Ridge, North Shelby and Cahaba Valley fire districts.
Vestavia Hills Fire Chief Marvin Green said Vestavia’s portion of the grant, $121,000, will pay for equipment to help the department conduct virtual training with Alabama Fire College as well as other departments, including the ability to livestream training at their own site to nearby departments. Vestavia received the largest portion of the grant.
Green said the fire college is expanding its virtual classes, which now include courses for emergency medical technicians, paramedics, fire instructors and fire officers.