Proudly Serving Green Mountain for
50 Years 1966-2016
WHO MAKES UP THE GREEN MOUNTAIN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT?
We are your neighbors. Our members live on the mountain. While HEMSI and Huntsville Fire & Rescue (H&FR) also respond to emergency calls as necessary on Green Mountain, Green Mountain Volunteer Fire Department (GMVFD) is the first response for all emergencies of this type.
Our members are trained the same way as Huntsville Fire and Rescue at various levels. We have EMTs and structural firefighters trained by the Alabama Fire College. Many of our members were trained recently as Emergency Medical Responders locally by the Alabama Fire College using a HF&R instructor.
We also have certified wildland firefighters trained by Alabama Forestry Commission. All members are required to train and be certified on the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System. Members with all levels of abilities, training, or experience are needed to help with various duties.
GMVFD IS ALSO HF&R STATION 13
WHY DOES GMVFD EXIST?
In the 1970s Federal Court rulings denied the children of Green Mountain continued access to city schools. To avoid an over 2 hour bus trip to county schools the community of Green Mountain requested annexation into the City of Huntsville. As a condition of annexation the residents agreed to continue operation of the VFD until Huntsville builds a staffed station on Green Mountain. The continued operation of GMVFD is necessary to insure that all residents receive the benefits of Huntsville’s excellent fire insurance rates.
GMVFD Organization:
The Green Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is a non-profit corporation. It is governed by a board of directors as set forth in the bylaws. There are the typical corporate officers including the President, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as other board members. Day to day operational responsibility belongs to the Chief and Assistant Chief who are selected by the board. None of the officers or board members are compensated for their service or time. All are volunteers.
GMVFD Training Center
(The house Next to the Station)
We always welcome community involvement, support and most of all new members from our unique mountain-top community.
GREEN MOUNTAIN VFD HISTORY
The Green Mountain Volunteer Fire Department (GMVFD) was organized in 1966. At that time, Green Mountain was not inside the city limits of Huntsville. There were no water mains and the fire station operated out of a small converted garage. In 1972, Green Mountain VFD became a charter member of the newly formed Madison County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments (MCAVFD). In 1974 the MCAVFD provided funds for GMVFD to build a new fire station; the present day structure. In 1976 Green Mountain was annexed into the city of Huntsville. As a condition of annexation, GMVFD was required to continue to operate with HF&R sending assistance. By 1985, water mains had been installed over all the Green Mountain area giving GMVFD even greater capability in firefighting. GMVFD carries the distinction of being the first volunteer fire department in the state of Alabama to have members certified by the Alabama Fire College. In 2011 GMVFD acquired the small house next to the fire station for use as our training facility. In 2014 the facilities were sold to the City of Huntsville. An operational agreement and lease was formalized at that time. Today, GMFVD provides emergency medical response, wildland rescue, structural wildland, and other fire suppression with our 23 members and apparatus including engines E13A & E13B, SR13, GATOR13, Medic 13, and our ATV.