Charleston County Rescue Squad provided rehab unit for emergency personnel

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad has a trailer designed to allow firefighters and other emergency crews to quickly cool off when they are responding to emergencies.

“This vehicle […] was received during a grant from Lowcountry Health Care Association. They gave it to us to help with Lowcountry incidents from Charleston to Myrtle Beach – anywhere that they need this vehicle we can dispatch this vehicle to,” said Timothy Dermody, interim chief, Charleston County Volunteer Rescue.

The trailer has a large built-in air conditioner that allows the room inside to get extremely cold, very quickly.

“Before the truck leaves the base here at headquarters, the air condition is placed on and by the time we get to the scene, the temperature is down about 15 degrees. It also has a decon shower and a bathroom facility for any sister agencies that need to use it,” he added.

The trailer is equipped with blood pressure monitors and oxygen can be administered by medical personnel in the cold chamber.

“It’s very important to have this facility for keeping the firefighters – and any agency that requests the unit – to keep them cool and hydrated. This unit is needed in many situations in Charleston County to the point where everybody uses it. It is automatically dispatched on working fires within Charleston County. It is special requested for Berkeley County and Dorchester County as needed.”

There is also a large generator on board and a place to get snacks and coffee outside of the unit.

“This unit is not just requested during the summertime. It’s also requested in the wintertime when firefighters are battling a fire overnight and the temperatures are down in the 30s. Our canteen on part of the unit has Keurig’s and we can make coffee for the firefighters and give them some hot food,” said Dermody.