Story By Katie Hightower

The Section and Macedonia Volunteer Fire Departments recently added a new rehabilitation trailer to its fleet. The rehab trailer will primarily serve as a location for firefighters to cool down and rehydrate during calls to emergencies. It will also be available as a central command post for first responders during natural disasters or other dangerous situations and it can be used by the community during social events.

Chief Jimmy Jones of the Section and Macedonia Fire Departments did a lot of research on rehab and recovery trailers prior to the trailer’s renovation. “We followed FEMA guidelines and requirements for the trailer when we began putting it together,” Jones said. “We also talked to several departments across the US to get pointers and helpful information in setting up a functional trailer.”

The 23-foot air-conditioned trailer will haul several canopies, lighting, seating, coolers, fans, air tanks and other medical equipment needed to assist fire departments in operations. The trailer itself along with the canopies will screen firefighters from weather like precipitation, wind or extreme temperatures. The tools on the trailer will serve the department by protecting firefighters during rotating break periods through monitoring. 

“Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for firefighters. The heat from the fire adds stress to the heart,” Jones said. “By having the trailer available, it will give firefighters time to recover from fighting the fires. We can also monitor their vitals and make sure they’re okay before returning to the fire.”

In addition to the equipment on the trailer, it will also contain nutrient-dense snacks and fluids for rehydration. “Firefighters are prone to dehydration. That’s why it’s important to have plenty of water available for them to drink. Sometimes that’s not enough though so that’s why there will be space available for IV fluids due to limited ambulance space,” Jones said.

The trailer itself can hold 15 firefighters on cool-down rotations. The outside cooling canopies can hold over 22 firefighters. Jones shared a story about a fire in Rosalie when there were over 60 firefighters involved and the temperature outside was in the high 90s. At the time, they only had an ambulance available for a rehab area and it only held two to three firefighters at a time. Due to the extreme heat, there was not enough room in the ambulance to serve the number of firefighters who needed to recover. Jones knew something needed to be done to protect the firefighters and that gave him the drive to get a rehab trailer for the departments.

On the outside of the trailer, the words, Brothers helping Brothers, were prominently displayed. Jones originally bought the trailer with his own money to tow his brother’s race car. Jones saw the community needed it more and it would better serve the community as a rehab trailer. “We just gotta take care of each other,” Jones said.

“This trailer doesn’t have to be used just by the fire department either. I want the community and other entities to know it’s available for use,” Jones said. 

Jones was extremely thankful for all who helped with the trailer and he made a long list of people to thank which include the Town of Section, the Macedonia Fire Protection Authority, Sand Mountain Tinting, Leon Thomas Wrecker Service, Sam the Bug Man, Billy Jackson Auto Sales, Shop Ezy, Thornberry Insurance, Triple T Feed, Earl’s World, Massey Properties, Sand Mountain Performance, Haynes Furniture, Small Town Roots, Prime Pawn, Section Pharmacy, Complete Care, Deli Time, Rainsville Fire Department, Cadence Bank, Jackson Auto Sales, Auto Tech, Hancock Mini Storage, Lisa’s Trucking Service Inc., Buccaneer Rope Company, Jack’s in Section, Air Evac Life Team, NAFECO, Project Charlie for thermal imaging cameras, Huntsville Hospital EMS, Jackson County EMA for its SERT team’s assistance with training and individuals from the community who made donations.

“We will have the rehab trailer set up at the Section ball field on Labor Day,” said Jones. “We want to community to come out and see it and what all it can do.”