MUSCLE SHOALS-An army of firefighters is headed to Colbert County.
They are not coming here to battle a fire or respond to other emergencies. Instead, they will be in town for the Alabama Association of Alabama Volunteer Departments State Conference on Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9.
Lawrence Huffman, co-chairman of the conference and vice president of the Colbert County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, said more than 450 firefighters and guests from throughout Alabama are expected to attend. The conference is being held at Jameson Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Sheffield , the North Alabama State Fairgrounds in Muscle Shoals and Sheffield Recreation Center.
Some events, including a firefighter competition and activities for children are open to the public. The firefighters’ competition is at 8:30 a.m., and the children’s activities begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the fairgrounds.
In addition, vendor displays at the fairgrounds will be open to the public noon-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 and 8 a.m.- noon Saturday, Aug. 9.
The Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau provided the firefighters with visitor guides and discount coupons for several local 
attractions.
“Our office and the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments have been friends for years and we are proud it chose to bring its state conference to Colbert County,” said Susann Hamlin, executive director of the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau.
