Battalion Chief Christian Elliott, the Training Officer for the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, was recently

awarded the Captain Drake Award by the Alabama Firefighters Association. This award is presented to a training officer who exemplifies and provides dedication to the fire service and training of its personnel. Chief Elliott was nominated for his exemplary work improving the training division of the department

in the short time he has held the position. Chief Elliott has been a member of the Vestavia Hills Fire

Department since 2002. He is highly respected among his peers in the department, as well as his peers from neighboring departments, and was recently named as the training coordinator for the Central

Alabama Fire Chiefs Association. This award is special to the VHFD because it was Captain John Drake that trained Vestavia Hill’s original 12 volunteer members back in 1951.Chief Elliot is the first Drake award winner for the City of Vestavia Hills. Congratulations Chief Elliott!