Firefighters Attend Dive Classes


Lt. David Thrift and Firefighter Charlie Carter attended Public Safety Diver and Diving Accident Response Techniques at the G.P.S.T.C. These classes covered various techniques for responding to rescue diving for victims, as well as evidence recovery for local law enforcement departments. Both candidates should be commended for their efforts and hard work in attending these classes.

Ware County Gets Fire/Crash Truck


Ware County is the beneficiary of a nearly half million dollar Oshkosh P15 fire truck from Dobbins Air Force Base that was recently secured through the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Rural Fire Defense Screening Program at no cost to Ware County taxpayers. County Fire Chief Jimmy Brown plans to use the new truck for fire suppression efforts at the airport, industrial park, major rail or auto accidents involving hazardous materials, and in other areas as needed.

The P15 will enhance fire protection in the county and especially at the airport, where it will be used as a crash truck. It is equipped with a 6,000 gallon water tank and a 500 gallon foam tank. Water and foam can be discharged from traditional hoses or from the two water cannon turrets mounted on top of the truck. The truck has the capability of dousing a fire with all 6,000 gallons of water in under three minutes if necessary, or it can use bursts of water for longer duration suppression efforts. It can also discharge aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), which is particularly useful in an aircraft crash, fire, or other hazardous material situations such as might occur in a rail or auto accident.

The Oshkosh P15 is a truck of trucks. It is 45’ 2” long, 13’ 4” in height, and 10’ 2” wide. Its eight 1,200 pound wheels are driven by two 495 horsepower Detroit diesel engines and Allison automatic transmissions. It can navigate along a 45 degree bank, climb a 50 degree incline, and cross over an 18” obstacle. When fully loaded, the height of the truck is reduced by one foot and its normal 78,040 pound weight is increased to over 136,580 pounds. It is one of only three such trucks known to be in service in the State of Georgia. It will operate from Ware County Fire Rescue Station 1 at the airbase.

Kingston Honors Wildfire Responders


U.S. Representative Jack Kingston visited Ware County Fire/Rescue Station 1 recently to honor firefighters and others who battled the wildfires that recently ravaged the area. Kingston presented the wildfire responders with a U.S. Flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol and a plaque recognizing their role in battling the largest fire on record in the southern United States.

Fire Rescue Gets New Class A Pumper


Ware County Fire Rescue received a new Class A Pumper recently. Once completely outfitted, the new fire truck will be able to perform fire suppression and rescue responsibilities simultaneously.

The truck was built on a Spartan chasis with a custom cab, Crimson components and a LED lighting system which reduces maintenance cost. It is equipped with a 1,000 gallon water tank with 5, 2.5 inch discharge valves along with a 3 inch master stream valve and is capable of discharging over 1,500 gallons of water per minute. It has an encapsulated ladder and is also the first truck in the fleet to be equipped with high side compartments on both sides for storage of emergency response/rescue supplies and equipment.

“This piece of equipment and its appliances are the latest in state-of-the-art and will be the first advanced life support system introduced in the county’s fire suppression and rescue system. With this piece of equipment, we will be able to suppress fires and sustain life rescue techniques simultaneously until emergency medical service equipment and personnel arrive,” stated Ware County Fire Rescue Chief Jimmy Brown.

The new Pumper will initially enter service as a piece of firefighting equipment with (ALS) Advanced Life Support capabilities being activated at a later time.

Fire Rescue Teaches Fire Safety


Head Start visited Ware County Fire Rescue Station 1 recently to learn about fire safety. The event was scheduled as part of Fire Rescue’s Fire Safety Education program.

Ware County firemen showed an educational fire safety video, gave the children a tour of the fire station and fire trucks, and gave out fire hats. Children even had the opportunity to discharge water from a fire hose.

Ware County firefighters were accompanied by Fire Rescue’s newest edition, a remotely controlled robotic fireman complete with his own fire truck. The robotic fireman helped firefighters teach fire safety tips like “Stop, Drop, and Roll” and “Get Out and Stay Out!” The Head Start students also learned the importance of smoke detectors, what a fully suited fireman looks and sounds like, how to make fire escape plans, and much more.

The Fire Safety Education program, including Fire Safety’s robotic fireman, is made possible through private donations.

Extreme Training is Just Part of the Job!


These are photos taken during a recent training exercise at the Ware County Public Safety Training Complex.

Firefighters practice realistic drills in several hundred degree temperatures so that they can be better prepared to respond to real-life scenarios.

This helps ensure the best possible fire protection for the citizens of Ware County.

Collapse Training


EMA Director Jonathan Daniell and Assistant Fire Chief Jesse Jordan attended Collapse Training in Covington, GA recently. The two participated in the event as part of Georgia’s Type III Incident Management Team (IMT). The Covington Collapse Exercise was designed to provide training for rescuers who might be dispatched to the scene of a collapsed structure where rescue is necessary. Over 50 people from around the state participated in the event.

The training was made possible when a developer planned to raise some older apartment buildings in Covington and replace them with new structures. The older buildings were blown up by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in an effort to simulate a true collapsed structure.

Georgia Search and Rescue (GSAR) Units were activated and Dog Units were brought in during the exercise. To add to the realism, cadavers were brought in and placed in the debris after it had been collapsed.

During the exercise, the Management Team managed the incident making sure that all necessary resources were available and developed the Incident Action Plan (IAP). Jordan served as the team’s Liaison Officer, working between local and state governments, while Daniell served as the Resource Unit Leader responsible for check-in and check-out, and accountability of all personnel and resources during the incident.