Firefighters prepare for windstorms

After watching Homewood firefighters struggle to move large trees from the roadways to gain access for emergency vehicles in a post-storm emergency, Mayor Scott McBrayer reassigned one of the City’s surplus BobCat skid steer loaders to the Fire Department for exclusive use during an emergency.

“With the BobCat loader available to push downed trees out of the road, firefighters will have much quicker access to areas that are cut off due to storm damage,” McBrayer said.

Homewood Fleet Maintenance refurbished the BobCat, bringing the machine to a mechanically sound state. In addition, firefighters have worked diligently to adapt the diesel-powered loader for fire and rescue work. A log grapple bucket for the loader was acquired at no cost to the city. Fire Department members have also re-painted the machine and welded on modifications in preparation for storm scene work.  

Training for firefighters on the operation of the BobCat has been conducted at Burford’s Wood Waste Recycling facility on Shannon Road.

“We have developed communication systems and operation procedures that will allow us to safely utilize the loader in the chaotic conditions that exist in the wake of a storm,” said Fire Medic Brett Ashworth, lead BobCat instructor.   

“Rescue of victims in a storm aftermath cannot take place if our fire fighters and equipment are unable to reach the scene. The BobCat loader will be kept on a heavy equipment transport trailer and housed at Fire Station 1, ready for rapid deployment,” Fire Chief John Bresnan said.

HFD photo jpeg

Homewood Fire Department’s new BobCat loader Photo courtesy of HFD.