HARPERSVILLE – Harpersville’s new fire chief is a familiar face around town.

Heath Confer was recognized as the new chief at the meeting of the Harpersville Town Council on Monday, Aug. 6, when former chief Wade White was also honored.

White served the Harpersville Fire Department for about 14 years, and as chief for about five years, before his resignation.

White and Confer were presented with plaques at the meeting.

Confer, a Calera resident who has been part of the Harpersville Fire Department since 2007, said he wants to continue the department’s tradition as a training ground for firefighters.

“We train them up and they move on to new opportunities and bigger departments where they can grow,” Confer said. “We’ve been a good starting foundation for new firefighters.”

Harpersville Fire Department has nine people on shift and two part-time firefighters; and utilizes one fire engine and one staff vehicle.

Maintaining the department’s equipment and keeping it up-to-date is an area of focus for Confer, he said, along with fire prevention efforts, including working with Coosa Valley Academy and local businesses.

Confer is originally from northwest Pennsylvania and moved to the Birmingham area in 2004. He also works with the Cahaba Valley Fire Department, and attended recruit school at Bessemer Fire Department in 2008.

“It was really good to learn under them,” Confer said. “All of their experience and leadership was very beneficial to the whole class.”