For Immediate Release:
Subject: Rapid Intervention Unit
Jan 13,2025

This week Lawrence County Fire Rescue will be placing a new Rapid Intervention Truck into service. The new unit is 4wd and equipped with a 12,000 lb winch, a Compressed Air Foam System capable of producing over 1,000 gallons of finished foam for fire suppression, a complete set of hydraulic vehicle rescue tools, vehicle stabilization struts, rescue air bags used for lifting, wood cribbing for vehicle stabilization chains saws, demolition saws, forceable entry tools, hazardous materials equipment, gas monitors, a thermal Imaging camera, SCBA’s, fire extinguishers, water rescue equipment, rope rescue equipment, rescue chains, emergency medical equipment, and a large compliment of hand tools. This apparatus is replacing a 23 year old rescue vehicle. The new apparatus was Made in America and purchased through a local fire apparatus dealer in Lawrenceburg,Tn.
The new unit will be a key component for the new day time staffing program that began in August of 2025. One of the main goals of the program was to supplement our responding volunteers with staffing during the daytime hours when our volunteer availability is critically low. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organization, it is important that we supplement them in every way possible. We currently only staff 4 personnel during the daytime hours out of two stations. Lawrence County Fire Rescue Stations cover 617 square miles of area in Lawrence County. With our personnel serving such a large response area quick deployment of resources is important.
We are in no way saying that Rapid Intervention Vehicles are a replacement for full size fire apparatus with large pumps and water tanks. The Rapid Intervention Units are a tool in the tool box. The RIV’s are smaller so they are more versatile, more cost efficient to purchase and operate, and they allow for quicker travel response times. We operate two staffed Rapid Intervention Units daily. The crews on the rapid intervention trucks do also have pumpers and tankers at the same stations. In the event of a fire the closest stations still initiate a response in a pumper or a pumper tanker. The RIV’s will be utilized first out in many cases on Motor Vehicle Crashes,EMS calls, rope rescue, water rescue, CO alarm calls, ect.
We are excited to be placing the new unit in service. We have no doubt that the unit will be instrumental in our goal of saving lives and property. We want to thank the Lawrence County Commission, the community, and all of our members for their work in making this acquisition possible.