Colonial Pipeline Donates $21,600 To Bainbridge Fire Department For Foam Truck

By Ashlyn Becton, Reporter, WALB-NBC

BAINBRIDGE, GA (WALB) - Bainbridge Public Safety is putting new equipment to the test this week, training firefighters from all across south Georgia on using foam to fight large fires. 

“Its very important for local departments to have large amounts of foam and equipment to deploy foam for any traffic related incidents, like a tractor trailer accident or train derailment,” said Daniel Tyrrell, Vice-President of Combat Support Products

In 2015, a chemical explosion killed a 35 year old man in Bainbridge.

Christopher Coker was killed while working on a tanker that exploded at Liquid Transfer Terminals.

The fire burned for about 8‑hours.

Fire Chief Doyle Welch said the foam truck would have put the fire out within minutes.

“I believe they learned enough to operate the trailer safely but its always continuous training that gives the firefighters the best knowledge to use the equipment,” said Tyrrell.

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Colonial Pipeline, presented a check to the city for $21,600 for equipment and foam.


Robert West (Colonial Pipeline) presents a check to the Bainbridge FD

The truck will be can be used from Bainbridge to Valdosta and all the way up to Cordele.

It will be one of the only resources of it’s kind in Southwest Georgia.

“The nearest one to here is in the army base fort Gordon Georgia, the next maybe in Tallahassee. This is definitely a big benefit to this area,” said Tyrrell.

Firefighters from Thomas County, Bainbridge, and Calhoun County participated in the training.