Local firefighters doing more than fighting fires.

From BleckleyProgress.com

Community News
Local firefighters doing more than fighting fires.
By Dave Whitaker
Aug 14, 2019, 11:33

While most people associate firemen with high risk actions like battling house fires or pulling people from burning cars, sometimes their duties take them in a different direction. Over the past few days, both the Bleckley County Fire Department and Cochran Fire and Emergency Services did things that didn’t involve fighting fires but helped people in need.

Of course, in the case of the Bleckley Fire Department, it did start off as part of their normal duties. According to a post on the group’s Facebook page, they received a call of a bus on fire at the Porter Road station a few days ago at 4 pm. The engine was on fire as the bus carrying 14 children and six adults headed to Atlanta pulled into the driveway. After an adult used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, the group faced a minimum one and half hour wait for a relief bus.

The travelers board a van provided by Heartland EMS.

Firefighters provided water as well as burgers and fries from McDonald’s. When the relief bus didn’t show, the travelers were relocated to the recently opened Antioch Road station which has air conditioning, restrooms, and a TV. Heartland EMS provided a 15-passenger fan to help with transport. The relief bus finally came four hours later. The Facebook post said “The BCFD was proud to help these weary travelers.”

(Photo courtesy Cochran Fire & Emergency Services.) Sometimes moving requires the use of large containers.

While Cochran city firefighters are no doubt used to moving heavy objects, they helped with a different kind of moving on August 12. They assisted with Middle Georgia State University’s move in day, helping students and families carry items from their cars to rooms. An email from chief Brock Wilcher stated over 1,500 students moved in. He also said firefighters spoke with students and handed out flyers regarding the part time student firefighter program.

Cochran firefighters take a moment to pose as they help with move-in day at Middle Georgia State University.