What is the Fire Department's address?
513 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills AL 35216
What are the Fire Department's Main Phone Numbers?
- Emergency Number: 911
- Alternate Emergency Number: 823-1296
- Office: 978-0225
- Fax: 978-0205
How do I get a copy of a Fire Report or a Medical Transport report?
Call the Fire Administration at 978-0225
What is the Fire Department's hiring process -- How do I become a firefighter? When are you taking applications again?
The City of Vestavia Hills is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are divided into two primary categories: classified and non-classified. Applicants for classified positions (police, fire and administrative positions) need to make application through the Jefferson County Personnel Board. The City normally hires from the certification listings of the Personnel Board. To contact the Personnel Board by phone, dial 325-5515.
My CO (Carbon Monoxide) detector and/or Fire Alarm is going off. What do I do?
If your Carbon Monoxide detector goes off, the level of Carbon Monoxide has reached danger levels. This is a deadly gas that is odorless and colorless -- it cannot be detected by human senses. Activate your emergency escape plan, then call 911.
If your Fire Alarm goes off, activate your emergency escape plan and call 911.
To learn more about creating an escape plan for your home, see the Fire Prevention page.
How can I arrange a tour of a fire station?
Contact Battalion Chief Greg Gilchrist at 978-0218
How long does it take a fire engine to get to a fire or medical emergency after 911 has been called?
It normally takes from 3 to 5 minutes for an engine or emergency vehicle to arrive on the scene after a 911 call has been placed.
Where can I get CPR classes?
Contact Battalion Chief Ray at 978-0212
What do firefighters do when they are not on calls fighting fires?
Training takes up a good deal of their time when they are not on call. Firefighters are required to have at least 20 hours of emergency-related training each month. Firefighters also participate in fire safety inspections and drive the community to become familiar with the area to reduce response time during incidents. Firefighters must also check and maintain their equipment and clean and maintain their stations.
When there is only a small fire, why do so many fire engines respond?
The standard response to a residential structure fire includes 2 engine companies, 1 transportation/rescue unit and 1 Battalion Chief. If these units are not needed, they are released upon arrival. The main goal of the VHFD is to protect lives and property and this level of response is needed to accomplish this goal.
How do I go about drawing up an escape plan for my home or business?
Make sure everyone knows at least two unobstructed ways out - doors and windows - of every room in your home. Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet. To learn more about emergency escape planning, see the Fire Prevention page.
A member of my family is disabled. What does he/she do during a fire?
Assure that you have a well-defined escape plan (for guidance, see the Fire Prevention page.). Make sure that people who are confined to a wheelchair have immediate access to their wheelchair when an emergency occurs. Fill out a Medical Alert Form and submit the completed form to the Police Department to make sure the person's special needs have been recorded in the 911-dispatch system. This form is interactive so it can be filled out using your computer.
What is the best thing to do for a burn?
Cool a burn with water. Do not use ointments, butter or other substances. For minor burns contact a physician. For serious burns, dial 911 immediately.
When I go on vacation, should I let the fire department know?
Contact the Vestavia Hills Police Department when leaving for vacation. Leave an emergency number with your neighbors where you can be contacted in case the VHFD must respond to an incident at your home. Also leave a key with a responsible party and let the VHFD know who the party is in case we have to gain access to your home while you are gone.
The Vestavia Hills Police Department has a Vacation Patrol Program. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free service if you are away from your home for an extended period of time. To learn more, see the Vestavia Hills Police Department - Community Services page.
What kind of fire extinguisher should I buy?
For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher that can be used on all types of home fires (Ratings: A= Trash, Wood and Paper, B= Liquids and Grease, C= Electrical Equipment). It should be large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle. To learn more about fire extinguishers, see the Fire Prevention page.
Where can I get my extinguisher refilled?
Look in the Yellow Pages under Fire Extinguishers. There are multiple local listings for companies that sell and service fire extinguishers.
How many smoke detectors do I need? Is it necessary to put one in every room?
Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install smoke alarms inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, according to the National Fire Alarm Code. To learn more about Smoke Detectors, see the Fire Prevention page.
Why do I have to dial 911? Can't I call the fire station direct and save time?
The 911 emergency system is designed to save valuable time. When you dial 911, the system routes the police or fire unit that is closest to your home. Fire stations are not properly equipped to take emergency calls. Therefore, calling the station directly actually wastes response time.
What is the Fire Department's address?
513 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills AL 35216
What are the Fire Department's Main Phone Numbers?
- Emergency Number: 911
- Alternate Emergency Number: 823-1296
- Office: 978-0225
- Fax: 978-0205
How do I get a copy of a Fire Report or a Medical Transport report?
Call the Fire Administration at 978-0225
What is the Fire Department's hiring process -- How do I become a firefighter? When are you taking applications again?
The City of Vestavia Hills is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are divided into two primary categories: classified and non-classified. Applicants for classified positions (police, fire and administrative positions) need to make application through the Jefferson County Personnel Board. The City normally hires from the certification listings of the Personnel Board. To contact the Personnel Board by phone, dial 325-5515.
My CO (Carbon Monoxide) detector and/or Fire Alarm is going off. What do I do?
If your Carbon Monoxide detector goes off, the level of Carbon Monoxide has reached danger levels. This is a deadly gas that is odorless and colorless -- it cannot be detected by human senses. Activate your emergency escape plan, then call 911.
If your Fire Alarm goes off, activate your emergency escape plan and call 911.
To learn more about creating an escape plan for your home, see the Fire Prevention page.
How can I arrange a tour of a fire station?
Contact Battalion Chief Greg Gilchrist at 978-0218
How long does it take a fire engine to get to a fire or medical emergency after 911 has been called?
It normally takes from 3 to 5 minutes for an engine or emergency vehicle to arrive on the scene after a 911 call has been placed.
Where can I get CPR classes?
Contact Battalion Chief Ray at 978-0212
What do firefighters do when they are not on calls fighting fires?
Training takes up a good deal of their time when they are not on call. Firefighters are required to have at least 20 hours of emergency-related training each month. Firefighters also participate in fire safety inspections and drive the community to become familiar with the area to reduce response time during incidents. Firefighters must also check and maintain their equipment and clean and maintain their stations.
When there is only a small fire, why do so many fire engines respond?
The standard response to a residential structure fire includes 2 engine companies, 1 transportation/rescue unit and 1 Battalion Chief. If these units are not needed, they are released upon arrival. The main goal of the VHFD is to protect lives and property and this level of response is needed to accomplish this goal.
How do I go about drawing up an escape plan for my home or business?
Make sure everyone knows at least two unobstructed ways out - doors and windows - of every room in your home. Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet. To learn more about emergency escape planning, see the Fire Prevention page.
A member of my family is disabled. What does he/she do during a fire?
Assure that you have a well-defined escape plan (for guidance, see the Fire Prevention page.). Make sure that people who are confined to a wheelchair have immediate access to their wheelchair when an emergency occurs. Fill out a Medical Alert Form and submit the completed form to the Police Department to make sure the person's special needs have been recorded in the 911-dispatch system. This form is interactive so it can be filled out using your computer.
What is the best thing to do for a burn?
Cool a burn with water. Do not use ointments, butter or other substances. For minor burns contact a physician. For serious burns, dial 911 immediately.
When I go on vacation, should I let the fire department know?
Contact the Vestavia Hills Police Department when leaving for vacation. Leave an emergency number with your neighbors where you can be contacted in case the VHFD must respond to an incident at your home. Also leave a key with a responsible party and let the VHFD know who the party is in case we have to gain access to your home while you are gone.
The Vestavia Hills Police Department has a Vacation Patrol Program. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this free service if you are away from your home for an extended period of time. To learn more, see the Vestavia Hills Police Department - Community Services page.
What kind of fire extinguisher should I buy?
For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher that can be used on all types of home fires (Ratings: A= Trash, Wood and Paper, B= Liquids and Grease, C= Electrical Equipment). It should be large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle. To learn more about fire extinguishers, see the Fire Prevention page.
Where can I get my extinguisher refilled?
Look in the Yellow Pages under Fire Extinguishers. There are multiple local listings for companies that sell and service fire extinguishers.
How many smoke detectors do I need? Is it necessary to put one in every room?
Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install smoke alarms inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms are required in all sleeping rooms, according to the National Fire Alarm Code. To learn more about Smoke Detectors, see the Fire Prevention page.
Why do I have to dial 911? Can't I call the fire station direct and save time?
The 911 emergency system is designed to save valuable time. When you dial 911, the system routes the police or fire unit that is closest to your home. Fire stations are not properly equipped to take emergency calls. Therefore, calling the station directly actually wastes response time.