By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Collins Chapel Fire and Rescue will hold an open house on Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m. at the Collins Chapel Fire Department.

The department has invited the community to attend a meet and greet where they will have the opportunity to talk to the administration and members of the reopening fire department while enjoying a hotdog.

According to recently elected Fire Chief Jay Littleton, the department plans to begin receiving calls on Oct. 29.

There have been months of reorganizing and training leading up to this day. The department had to shut down on July 28 of this year after the previous fire chief was charged with stealing funds from the department.

Since the community elected the new administration on Aug. 13, they have worked hard and fast toward reopening. Training classes began on Sept. 20 for the nearly 20 volunteers.

“It’s been going pretty well,” said Littleton. “We’ve been able to recruit a few more who are veterans of fire service. Everyone is eager to learn.”

Littleton said the department’s volunteers have been training a couple times a week since their training began in mid-September. The crew is currently looking forward to a live fire exercise they’re doing before the reopening.

“I’m impressed and thankful for all of the volunteers and their dedication,” said Littleton.

On behalf of Collins Chapel Fire and Rescue, Littleton thanked the fire departments of Union Grove, Gap of the Mountain, Thorsby, Cedar Grove and Jemison for responding to fires in the area while Collins Chapel was unable to.

Collins Chapel Fire Department is located at 13195 County Road 29 in Clanton. The open house is from 4-6 p.m on Oct. 29.