You may wonder why the South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue department has a rehab bus.
Our graphics and installation team helped with the striping, lettering and graphics on this unit, and in the process learned about its purpose. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), firefighters are required to spend time in rehabilitation after an emergency operation. They receive essentials such as oxygen and hydration and must be cleared by EMS prior to resuming any firefighting activities.
This Rehab unit, donated by Dean Transportation, gives our Antrim and Kalkaska county firefighters an area to go to for rehabilitation. The bus has heat during the winter or air conditioning during the hot days of summer. It offers a dedicated space for EMS to monitor firefighters, without exposing ambulance interiors to by-products of firefighting. Essential water for hydration and snacks for energy are stored on the bus. To top it off, the unit is available to any of South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue’s mutual aid partners upon request, at no charge.