Vestavia Hills Fire Department to Add More Staff with Federal Grant

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The Vestavia Hills Fire Department has been awarded a grant that many departments across the country strive for, and it was only its first time to apply for it. The Department of Homeland Security issues the Safer Grant to a handful of departments every year that enables each recipient to hire extra personnel, and that's exactly what the Vestavia Hills department intends to do.

The grant is worth just over $309,000 and will allow the department to add three more people and pay for one extra person on duty each day, which will mean faster responses and more hands on deck for emergencies. Since its a cost share grant, expenses will be split between the department and Homeland Security, with the department only responsible for 25 percent of the new salaries for the first year.

With more workers available, response to the eastern side of Vestavia Hills, specifically Cahaba Heights and Liberty Park, will benefit significantly.

"It's a great influence to our operations, just that one extra position every day," said Capt. Ryan Farrell. "There are so many tasks every day and those two specific areas are just so spread out. That additional manpower will do a lot help us out in that way."

When the grant expires, Vestavia will then become fully responsible for the costs, but for now, the grant is a starting point for staff expansion.

The Birmingport Fire Department also received the grant this year.

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