AEDC provides mutual aid emergency assistance during tornado

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  When the warning sirens went off on Arnold AFB on Monday, fire and police department first responders from the base were already en route to provide mutual aid assistance in Estill Springs, a nearby community, due to adverse weather affecting much of middle Tennessee.

Approximately 14 first responders from AEDC made it to the scene.

"We were advised there were at least one, possibly two people trapped as a result of the tornado activity," recalled AEDC Fire Department Chief Daryle Lopes. "[The] original mutual aid request was for Arnold Fire's heavy rescue truck.

"Initially Rescue-15 and Chief-2 responded and joined with law enforcement and fire department forces [from] Tullahoma's fire department and Estill Springs' fire department already on the scene."

Lopes said that another engine crew from AEDC joined the effort later.

Tullahoma Fire Department Chief Richard Shasteen and his team were already on the scene when Assistant Fire Chief Tom Lombard and Rescue-15 arrived to provide assistance.

"My role at this incident first was to supply firefighters to assist Estill Springs' firefighters in removing victims which were trapped under a single wide trailer," Shasteen said. "After successfully removing the viable victim, they removed the fatality. The Tullahoma Fire Department and AEDC Fire Department were then asked to clear at least one lane on all roads leading into the emergency scene which was accomplished with great team work between the two departments.

"Chain saws and physical strength was what it took and the firefighters certainly delivered. All roads in the area were open within a short period of time and the departments were released to return to their respective areas."

Lopes described the role his team played in the emergency response effort.

"The Incident Commander assigned Arnold Fire to clear blocked roads to provide access for additional responders and we did so using chain saws from E-2 and R-15 while Chief-2 performed area reconnaissance," he explained.

Lopes said all of the first responders involved have a long-standing professional relationship that has only been strengthened over the years.

"It was very satisfying to see multiple fire, police and EMS units come together at a time when the community needed it most," Lopes said. "We all work extremely well together because we make it a point to build relationships through training and regular contact.

"Chief Shasteen with the Tullahoma Fire Department and Chief Lowhorn with Estill Springs' Volunteer Fire Department and I have tried to forge a strong bond between our departments and our relationship with Chief Trull and Arnold Police simply can't be beat."

Lopes emphasized the importance of the interdependence between all of the first responders.

"We all depend heavily on one another to build the capability to tackle big jobs, and knowing each other and working together really paid off for everyone that day," Lopes said. "We're deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our neighbors, but I know that every AEDC responder is proud to have been there for our community. I'm extremely proud of Arnold Fire and every other responder at the scene for the way they performed."

Shasteen said the weather can take unexpected turns with little warning but the dedication and training of all area first responders is critical to avoiding further loss of life.

"It is certainly a tragedy when something like this happens, however, I was proud to be serving with such an energetic and competent group of highly trained professionals," Shasteen said. "I received several calls from chiefs and other people involved in the incident with nothing but positive comments about our response."

Chief Trull, chief of AEDC's Police Department, said he was proud of the way all of the emergency service first responders answered the call for assistance in Estill Springs.

"We actually sent seven personnel in three vehicles to enter the area from the Spring Creek road access to assist as needed," Trull recalled. "Our officers proceeded to the hardest hit location to support search and rescue efforts that were already ongoing. Once the person that was initially reported missing was found safe, our officers returned to base.

"I believe the emergency response by everyone on our first responder team, including police, fire, medical and emergency management folks, was quick, efficient and sufficient to manage the devastated area and maintain a calm and deliberate effort to protect persons and properties affected by this tragedy of nature."