New Bedford Emergency Management's new vehicle will be vital at public safety incidents

NEW BEDFORD — While working inside a burning building, it isn't unusual for firefighters to encounter temperatures of 500 to 600 degrees or more depending upon which stage a fire is at, New Bedford Fire Chief Scott Kruger says. That said, having a spot close by for them to cool down and rehabilitate before going back into the extreme conditions is imperative in keeping them working as safely and effectively as possible.

"Then, if it's 10 degrees out, you step outside, everything's wet, and it all freezes," Kruger said. "So you need something there to help the body cope with those kinds of extremes."

For years, New Bedford Emergency Management has filled the role of providing this cool-down/warming and general comfort resource, known as "rehab," at the scenes of incidents. And now, with the help of a new truck purchased by the city — funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency — NBEMA volunteers and staff will be better equipped for this important work and more, NBEMA Director Brian Nobrega says.

NBEMA's new 2023 Ford F550 replaces an old ambulance that became run down from heavy use during the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020, facilitating things such as mobile vaccine and testing clinics, Nobrega explained. With the ambulance no longer usable, NBEMA has used a portable trailer for rehab purposes over the past few years, though Nobrega notes this hasn't always been ideal.

"If the incident is at, say, Cumberland Farms at the corner of Dartmouth [Street] and Rockdale [Avenue], you've got police and fire taking up that first block, so you really can't maneuver a trailer in that easily to get close to the scene," Nobrega explained, noting the trailer system was used during some notable fires in recent years, like the Bob's Tire Co. fire in July 2022, and the Royal Crown rooming house fire in March 2023.

"We've adapted over the past couple of years, but this truck will allow us to deploy a lot faster and safer."

What's in it?

Aside from things like misting fans and hand towels, Nobrega said, the new rehab truck will carry pop-up tents, medical equipment, portable generators, folding tables, seating and more.

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"It also carries a command board for large-scale incidents when you're trying to keep track of all your resources on scene," Nobrega said, also noting chargers and extra batteries for first responders' two-way radios.

Nobrega said the tents carried inside — bought with CARES Act funds from the pandemic — are color-coded, making for a well-organized scene.

"That way, instead of telling someone 'EMS is over there,' it's 'EMS is in the red tent; they can help you out over there,'" Nobrega said.

As far as whether or not the truck comes more equipped to warm people up or cool them down, Nobrega said that will depend on the time of year, noting it's just about time to switch over to cooling.

Kruger said NBEMA's rehab services, coupled with New Bedford EMS doing vital checks of first responders on scene, are part of fulfilling National Fire Protection Association standards.

Victims' comfort counts

Not only do rehab services help prevent firefighter injuries, Kruger said, they also provide comfort for victims of fires and other incidents.

"It makes a difference for the displaced tenants, too," Kruger said. "And Brian and the volunteers who help everyone during those times — they deserve to have the right equipment."

In addition to the new truck, Nobrega noted NBEMA has also acquired a former SRTA van that can serve as shelter for people like displaced fire victims while they go through processes such as intake for Red Cross assistance, especially in rainy or cold conditions.

"When I first started here, there wasn't a service for those people," Nobrega said of incident victims. "My first fire, it was during a cold spell, way up in the North End, and people were sitting in the back of police cruisers with their families. So things have come a long way."

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Nobrega started with NBEMA about seven years ago, he said.

New truck there for the good times, too

While the new truck had yet to see any action at the scene of an incident as of this interview with The Standard-Times, Nobrega said it played a role in blocking off intersections for runner safety during the 2024 New Bedford Half Marathon on March 17, and will continue to make appearances at recreational events around the city.

"That truck will be at the city parades and so forth," he said, noting people can expect to see it at the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament in August. Nobrega said he hopes it's seen at these types of events more often than dangerous public safety incidents. However, it stands ready for either.

“So that our emergency personnel have the tools they need to keep our residents safe, we’ve invested in modern life-saving equipment and relevant training," Mayor Jon Mitchell said. "This vehicle is just the latest example of our effort to get ahead of new or evolving risks.”

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford Emergency Management better equipped to help at scenes