Flomaton adds a new squad to its fleet

The Flomaton Volunteer Fire Department recently added a new squad and rehabilitation vehicle to its arsenal with a donated gift from the Perdido Beach Fire Rescue Department in Baldwin County thanks to Charles Jackson and his wife Cindy.

The 1997 International command vehicle was put into service last week in Flomaton.

Charles Jackson serves as the Chief of the McCall Volunteer Fire Department and his wife serves as the certified incident officer for McCall. Charles Jackson also serves as secretary-treasurer for the South West Alabama Fire Chiefs' Association.

Charles said he recently attended an association meeting in Baldwin County and learned many of those 17 volunteer fire departments were getting new trucks. Jackson said he'd like to have an opportunity to purchase some of the old trucks.

"They said they didn't have any firetrucks but did have a squad they were willing to donate," Jackson said. "Cindy said 'why not bring it to Flomaton'."

Charles contacted Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton, who went to Perdido to inspect the squad truck and accept the title.

Stanton said the squad has 22,000 miles on it and said it was in excellent shape.

"Once I looked at it I knew we needed it," Stanton said. "We had outgrown our old squad and we can carry more equipment and have more room with the new squad."

Charles Jackson and Stanton said a new squad with those capabilities would probably cost between $150,000 to $160,000 but it was donated to the town of Flomaton free of charge.

The Jacksons said Flomaton was the perfect place for the vehicle since its located in the middle of the county and can be used in mutual aid situations.

The rehabilitation aspect of the vehicle can allow up to 10 firemen inside with air conditioning if they become overheated fighting a fire. It can also be used as a command center in major events such as hurricanes and train derailments.

Escambia County Emergency Management Director David Adams said adding this piece of equipment to Flomaton will be a benefit to the entire county.

"It has so many capabilities," Adams said. "It can play the role as a command post situation and is a great asset to have in the county for large-scale incidents. That's where mutual aid comes into play when everybody comes together to help out. It will also serve the Flomaton department great as a squad and rehab facility on a daily basis."

Stanton said the new vehicle will allow the firemen to store all the equipment, including the jaws of life, they need in one vehicle.

"We'll roll it out on structure fires to cool people down who get too hot," Stanton said. "I just want to thank Charles for thinking about us."