CULLMAN, Ala. – The Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) is seeking nominations for those who want to serve on its board of directors. These are volunteer seats, but needed within the community.
The BVFD serves an area of approximately 27 square miles just west of the city of Cullman. The outline of the coverage area is roughly a line from behind the Waffle House on Alabama Highway 157, to County Road 436, to County Road 222 at Grandview Bridge, to Spring Hill on U.S. Highway 278, and back to Alabama Highway 157 near Waffle House.
It is a community of approximately 1,100 households, and those households pay fire dues through their power providers (Cullman Electric Cooperative or the Cullman Power Board). Dues are used for the expenses of the BVFD. The board of directors, comprised of seven BVFD due-paying residents, oversees those funds and distributes them in the most effective way to serve BVFD, as well as the community.
“An active board of directors is critical to our mission at Bethsadia VFD. Managing financing, approving expenditures and fire due rates, negotiating contracts and keeping the bills paid are their primary duties,” said BVFD President and EMS Captain Jeff Byars.
The nomination period is currently open to Bethsadia residents. Nominations must be received by the BVFD no later than Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. To qualify for a seat, individuals must be currently paying fire dues and live, work or own a business in the department’s fire coverage area. Nominated individuals are also subject to the department’s drug testing and background check policies and procedures and must be able to attend its monthly meeting on the first Thursday evening of each month.
Byars said one thing that is not required to sit on BVFD’s board of directors: fire or EMS experience.
“This is an excellent way to serve your community. The time commitment is usually only a few hours the first Thursday evening of each month for board meetings,” he said. “Fire or EMS experience is not necessary. The board oversees the business side of the department and is not required to fight fires or respond to calls; however, we are also seeking volunteers to respond to calls as well.”
To make a nomination, include a brief bio of the nominee’s background and experience with the nomination information. Nominations can be submitted in three ways: by USPS to Bethsadia Volunteer Fire Department, 454 County Road 804, Cullman, AL, 35057; via email to bethsadiafire@yahoo.com; or via Facebook Messenger to the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BethsadiaVFD.
The BVFD will present the results at its board meeting on Nov. 7, after which the newly elected board members terms will go into effect immediately. Board members serve 12-month terms.
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
