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WHO IS BOX 4?
Box 4 is a nonprofit organization of fire buff’s offering rehabilitation services to the Dallas Fire Rescue Department and departments in surrounding cities. The organization responds to all 2 alarm or greater fires in Dallas. In inclement weather such as high heat the organization responds to all working 1 alarm fires when the temperature or temperature heat index in at 100 degrees or above, in addition the organization also responds when the temperature or wind chill is 32 degrees or below. Box 4 also responds when requested to Hazmat calls, train derailments, SWAT incidents, large demonstrations, plane crashes at Love Field or DFW Airport and funerals for all line of duty deaths for both Dallas Fire Rescue and Dallas Police Department.
Box 4 is also part of the Urban Search and Rescue Team that encompasses a 16 county region. Whenever DFR is deployed to an incident within this region, Box 4 will provide assistance as requested. Served out of a customized rehab vehicle designated as 896 and an ambulance designated as 897, rehabilitation includes providing fire fighters with rehydrating drinks, such as water or Gatorade, snacks, food on long duration incidents, as well as misting fans to beat the summer heat and a heater to take away the chill in winter. Portable chairs and awnings are set up to allow fire fighters to rest up and get out of the element before going back to work.
Box 4 members volunteer his or her time to provide these services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each member is notified via text message from the Dallas Fire Dispatch that notifies him/her of an incident. Based on protocol, one or two members will respond to Dallas Fire Station 28 located at 8701 Greenville Avenue where both vehicles are housed then they drive the rehab units 896 and 897 to the incident scene while other members arrive in their personal vehicle.
Meetings are held the last Thursday of each month except December to address the needs of the organization. Some meetings include a presentation from the fire fighters and have ranged between Hazmat operations, thermal imaging, and dispatching services.
Box 4 Fire Buff’s Association is seeking donations to replace rehab unit 897, which is a 2003 model previously retired ambulance with over 300,000 miles on it.
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