Training for real-world emergencies
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
McMinnville firefights are on the water this week practicing with the department’s new asset, a boat.
“We received a grant through the State Fire Marshall’s Office; it’s a Rescue Squad Grant,” said Fire Chief Marty White. “We received the boat, PFDs, helmets, oars, and some rope equipment. Not all the rope equipment has come in yet. It’s on order.”
PFDs are specialized life jackets designed for high buoyancy, mobility, and gear-carrying capacity to support professional rescue operations in swift water, floods, and ice conditions. The boat is a 14-foot long NRS Rescue Raft.
Up for grabs in 2026 was $5 million in grant funding, the single largest allocation for Rescue Squad Grant Programs to date, to assist over 90 rescue squads that serve Tennessee communities. Those monies were used to purchase equipment for incident response and to protect the lives of squad members.
McMinnville Fire Department received just under $28,000, says White, to purchase the life-saving equipment.
“This equipment is important. It gives us the tools to be able to serve the community. With tourism, more and more people are getting on the waterways here. We have to be prepared for any emergencies that might arise. With the unpredictable weather, you can get flooded neighborhoods. This isn’t just for waterways. It can be used in flooded neighborhoods as well.”
Along with urging water enthusiasts to always wear life jackets, White says “Know your surroundings. Situational awareness. Watch the weather reports. You don’t want to get out on the river when the water is moving fast. A lot of people don’t understand how long these floats take. If they leave in the afternoon, it’s well after dark by the time they get where they are going. They get lost or disoriented. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen. A little pre-planning goes a long way.”
This is the third week of training for firefighters, those who save lives, protect property and ensure community safety through emergency response, prevention and education. They are at Riverfront Park. The first two weeks of training were in a controlled environment: McMinnville Gilley Pool.