Our first fire truck:
In January 1928 a motorized fire truck, made by the American LaFrance Company of Elmira New York, was delivered to Birmingham Alabama to serve at Fire Station 24. Soon after its arrival in the Magic City politics intervened and the destination of the truck was changed to Station 19. It served as a frontline truck at Birmingham’s newest fire station for some 20 years. On the drivers side of the truck was the signature of all American LaFrance fire engines, a red lined locomotive-style brass bell topped with an American eagle.

The Town agreed to purchase the American LaFrance truck from City of Birmingham for $750.00 to start its Volunteer Fire Department on February 21, 1951. Captain J. F. Drake, from the Birmingham Fire Department, trained the Town’s original twelve volunteer members on the American LaFrance truck. As tradition called for, Captain Drake rang the bell once as the truck left the station and again when it returned, which signifies a safe return.

In 1953 the city purchased its first new fire truck for $9700.00, a 1953 Ford pumper. The once first class American LaFrance truck served Vestavia Hills for 4 years as a reserve engine before it was sold to a Highway Patrolman, but without it’s red lined brass bell. Bill Maddox, the City’s first Fire Chief, kept the bell for sentimental reasons as a reminder of the first truck and the service it gave to the community. The brass bell was again placed in service on the new 1953 Ford truck. When the Ford was retired from service in the late 1980’s the bell was removed but not forgotten.

The American LaFrance truck was then sold to Kurt’s Truck and Parts Company. In 1959 the truck was loaned to Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at the University of Alabama to serve as a parade truck. In 1961 it was returned to Kurt’s Salvage Yard. In the 1970’s the truck was again called to serve. However, this time as a centerpiece in a bar in the newly created Morris Avenue Entertainment District in Birmingham. The bar closed not long after it opened and the truck sat locked up for several years in a vacant building before eventually making its way back to Kurt’s Salvage Yard. A decade later, a Vestavia Hills firefighter, spotted the old LaFrance and called the Bessemer Hall of History. The Bessemer Hall of History acquired the once proud truck and it sits there today. Some attempts are being made to get the truck back to Vestavia Hills and have it restored. Today a part of the American LaFrance fire engine, the red lined brass bell will again serve the City of Vestavia Hills with pride as a ceremonial centerpiece to honor firefighters.

The Chiefs of Vestavia Hills Fire Department number only four but span over 50 years in the Fire Service. They all served the City of Vestavia Hills with distinction, pride and their own unique style.

R. M. Maddox 1950 - 1959

Hartley Ayers 1959 - 1969

Bill F. Towers 1969 - 1998

Alberto C. (Butch) Zaragoza, Jr. 1998 - Present

The Expansion of the fire department grew along with the City. The original fire station was a small white house, with a detached garage, were the City Government also met, that set across from the current City Hall. In 1956 the first City Hall was built and the fire station was moved into the basement which was affectionately referred to as “The Dungeon”.

In 1991 the department grew in stature and the current four bay Station 1 was built to house Command Car 8, Engine 1, Rescue 31 staffed by 24 firefighters and/or paramedics, along with Truck 1(unmanned) and multiple support vehicles (unmanned).

In 1971 Station 2 was built on Columbiana Road to service the City’s southwestward expansion and currently houses Engine 2 and Rescue Company 30 with 18 firefighters and/or paramedics.
In 1988 the department needed a fire station build near Vestavia Hills High School. However, a small problem existed when the neighborhood associations objected to a fire station being built in “their neighborhood”. They didn’t want it to look like a fire station. A compromise was worked out for the station to be built to resemble a home comparable to those of the neighborhood. It is the only fire station in the City that looks like a house. The long bay and doors cannot be seen from the street. A classroom training building was also built next to the Station but out of sight of passers by. Station 3 currently houses Engine 3 staffed by 12 firefighters and/or paramedics and Engine 3-Reserve (unmanned).

In 1996 the Liberty Park Joint Venture made a fourth fire station at Liberty Park possible. The upscale development was a welcome addition to the City of Vestavia Hills that covers 9 square miles. The Liberty Park Joint Venture provided funds for the City to build a fire station, purchase a new fire engine and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) equipment. Station 4 currently houses Engine 4 staffed by 12 firefighters and/or paramedics and Engine 4-Reserve (unmanned). The community was also provided with an Elementary School for local students. Other projects include a Church, Shopping facilities, Commercial Office Complexes, luxury apartments and an exclusive country club. It is currently the fastest growing area in the City.

In 2002 a fifth fire station was added with the annexation of the Cahaba Heights community. Station 5 currently houses Engine 5 staffed by 12 firefighters and/or paramedics, Engine 5-Reserve (unmanned), Rescue 34 (unmanned). Plans are underway to staff Rescue 34 with 9 paramedics.

Something called Paramedics were a result of a 1971 accident involving three Vestavia Hills High School coaches that were killed in the city due to a run-a-way truck on Montgomery Highway. Shortly after that a TV show called “Emergency” debuted featuring two Paramedics, John and Roy, that showed what pre-hospital care could do to save lives. This led the Mayor and Council to begin the process of getting the first paramedics trained in the state.

In 1973 the surrounding municipalities of Birmingham, Homewood and Vestavia Hills sent 33 firemen to the University of Alabama at Birmingham which had developed a paramedic training program. These 33 firemen became the first paramedics in Alabama. A federally funded grant from the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare required a rescue unit, trained and equipped personnel, and communication network. Rescue 30, Vestavia-Hoover Fire Department, was soon put into service. Two of the original eight paramedics still serve the City of Vestavia Hills today. The original Rescue 30 vehicle serves the City today as a Haz Mat Response Unit. In 2000 the department replaced the Rescue trucks with Emergency Transport / Rescue vehicles. These units are Rescue 30 and Rescue 31.