Center and Tullahoma fire departments flip-flop forces

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
AEDC's and Tullahoma's fire departments joined forces to conduct training Feb. 22, with a group of Tullahoma's firefighters coming on base and four of the center's firefighters going to train with that community's department.

"Tullahoma's fire department brought their HazMat (hazardous material) trailer and a 75-foot aerial platform truck on base to familiarize our people with this equipment and for all of us to learn more about the other's capabilities," AEDC Fire Department Section Chief James Wisner said.

AEDC has eight mutual aid agreements with Coffee and Franklin County fire departments and two with Franklin and Coffee County medical and EMS departments, Mr. Wisner said.

A recent meeting of area fire chiefs resulted in an agreement to be more proactive when it comes to training together, according to AEDC Fire Chief Daryle Lopes.

"We started with Tullahoma and coordinated this recent training that allowed us to swap out some folks during the day to learn the other's work environment and capabilities," he said. "We have assets, like our HazMat trailer, that provide additional capabilities - it's a mobile command post with a computer, generator, bathroom and other features. The Tullahoma Fire Department, in turn, has this 75-foot aerial platform truck, which is useful for accessing some of our taller structures. We wanted to make sure our connections worked with their's and to give both groups of firefighters a chance to see how this asset would be used on base."

AEDC firefighters Johnny Barrett and Ken Locker, Crew Chief Steve Macon and paramedic/firefighter John Pigg got the opportunity to learn more about what Tullahoma first responders might encounter in an emergency, including some of the hazards from a chemical spill.

"Now when I roll over there, we will know what to expect," Mr. Macon said. "This was a good experience for our guys."

Tullahoma Fire Captain Tim Stubblefield said the training experience was valuable and he is looking forward to more in the future.

"We're all in this effort together to protect lives and property," he said. "And we need to know our neighbors."