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Fort Novosel’s mutual aid agreements help save lives and land in the Wiregrass

By Brittany Trumbull, Fort Novosel Public AffairsJanuary 19, 2024

(Pictured left to right) Calvin Walton, Jarred Martin, Jared Sutton, Frank Compton and Eric Smith stand by an emergency vehicle on duty at the Fort Novosel Fire Department on Jan. 19, 2024.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Pictured left to right) Calvin Walton, Jarred Martin, Jared Sutton, Frank Compton and Eric Smith stand by an emergency vehicle on duty at the Fort Novosel Fire Department on Jan. 19, 2024. (Photo Credit: Brittany Trumbull) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Novosel Fire Department joins Elba Fire Department through a mutual aid agreement to assist with brush fire in New Brockton, Ala. on Jan. 2, 2024.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Novosel Fire Department joins Elba Fire Department through a mutual aid agreement to assist with brush fire in New Brockton, Ala. on Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
Elba Fire Department and Fort Novosel Fire Department emergency vehicles parked on the scene while aiding in New Brockton, Ala. brush fire on Jan. 2, 2024.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Elba Fire Department and Fort Novosel Fire Department emergency vehicles parked on the scene while aiding in New Brockton, Ala. brush fire on Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Novosel Fire Department joins Elba Fire Department through a mutual aid agreement to assist with brush fire in New Brockton, Ala. on Jan. 2, 2024.
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Fort Novosel Fire Department joins Elba Fire Department through a mutual aid agreement to assist with brush fire in New Brockton, Ala. on Jan. 2, 2024. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Photo) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. - Military installations across the country are filled with uniformed heroes, according to most, but one group of heroes take their service beyond the installation gates. The Fort Novosel Fire Department has long-standing mutual aid agreements (MAA) with over 40 surrounding fire departments, allowing them to aid in calls to the surrounding Wiregrass area departments and vice versa.

Fort Novosel is equipped with assets at 21 fire stations, according to Fire Chief Jeremy Evett, that can be utilized when called upon.

“So far, we have good relationships. If we can, we will absolutely go out and support the local departments,” said Evett.

On Jan. 2, 2024, the department supported a mutual aid request from the Elba Fire Department to assist with a brush fire near CR 248 and CR 251 in New Brockton, Ala. A clear cut field controlled burn got out of control burning approximately 150 acres and an irrigation unit.

“Our brush truck and a Rapid Intervention Vehicle responded promptly and shuttled water while also providing manpower,” stated Evett.

The brush fire in New Brockton was just one of two recent calls that the department took part in. Calls are sporadic, sometimes going several months between each one, according to Evett.

Jumping into a call with a completely different department doesn’t come without its challenges though.

“Say that a department needs pumper and personnel. We will send a pumper and one officer will go as well to serve as the liaison. See, frequency of the radios is different between the stations,” explained Evett. “My officer will be at the command post, and they can relay the information to my folks to assist them in operations. The communication tends to be the biggest challenge that we face.”

MAAs have been going strong for decades according to Evett. “They must be renewed every 5 years and it’s not exactly simple. It must be approved and go out to each of the 40+ agencies. It’s not as easy as just signing a paper but it’s worth it to build the connections between Fort Novosel and the local departments.”

Mutual aid is proven to be mutually beneficial to the installation and surrounding area. The Wiregrass communities play an important part in the quality of life for service members and their families on Fort Novosel. These bonds of service stand stronger than the wiregrass that this region is named after.

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