Beginning Monday Pell City Fire Station 1 will host area volunteers in training.

As part of the Bridge program, which gives volunteers a unique training and career opportunity, Pell City has re-vamped its four-story training tower, finishing up this week.

The program also allows volunteers to become specialized as a fire fighter 1 position. Draper said that the courses are designed as a joint effort to try to convert as many volunteers in the area to certified fire fighters. Most who will be taking part in the month-long course have already completed 160-hours of training.

“We’re really fortunate to have this facility here,” Pell City Fire Chief Patrick Draper said.

The specialized recruit school will be taught by firefighters from all around the St. Clair area. “What’s special is that this Bridge program has not ever been taught outside the Tuscaloosa Fire College,” Draper said. “This is a special partnership with the fire college and they’ve been great at setting this up. It’s a great thing, we’re thrilled and looking forward to bring the first fire department to do this under the auspices of the fire college.”

The re-vamping of the tower structure was paid through a two-mil tax. “Training is important,” Draper said. “Bridge takes local, certified volunteers and transforms them into firefighters. We’re creating out own local pool of employees, not just here, but for Springville or Odenville or Moody.”