Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department recently placed two new heavy rescue trucks in service. The new rescues were assigned to Stations 7 (North Thompson Lane) and 9 (Cason Lane), which serve as MFRD’s special operations stations. The units went through a special “backing ceremony” at their respective stations to represent the retirement of the old unit. The “state of the art” trucks were purchased to enhance MFRD’s special operations capabilities and response.

Assistant Chief Kaye Jernigan says the two new heavy rescues are better equipped to deal with any type of special operations response. She says the larger trucks, capable of holding more equipment and more personnel, will also be beneficial at fire scenes.

With the approval of Murfreesboro’s City Council, MFRD was able to purchase the units as part of the City’s Capital Improvement Program.

BACKING CEREMONY

TRAINING

Prior to the units being placed in service personnel on all three shifts at Stations 7 and 9 received training to become familiar with the new rescues and the corresponding new equipment. For three days, employees practiced extrication scenarios at City of Murfreesboro’s Fleet Services and Solid Waste departments.

“We would like to take the time to thank Jack Hyatt with Fleet Services and Joey Smith from Solid Waste for allowing us to use their facilities to train,” said Shift Commander Tim Swann, who is one of the department’s Special Operations Coordinators. “We would also like to thank Johnny Radford from Radford’s Wrecker Service for delivering a total of eight cars to us for the training,” he added.