Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s new arson investigation trailer was delivered to Fire Administration Friday morning.
In 2013, Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department was awarded $28,000.00 in grant funds from FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program.
The department used the funds to purchase the 26’ enclosed trailer to be used by the Fire Marshal’s Office for the purpose of fire investigations.
The unit is climate controlled with capabilities of providing on-scene electricity, lighting, water, and tool storage. The unit also provides a place for investigators to secure evidence, conduct interviews, and research or analyze fire scene conditions.
This trailer will allow the Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate a fire scene safely and efficiently without tying up other valuable MFRD resources and will be available for other departments within the Urban Area Security Initiative’s District 5 including the Middle Tennessee counties of Cannon, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Wilson, and Williamson.
The trailer will soon be outfitted with department lettering and equipment. Approximately $16,000.00 was placed in the department’s FY-2015 budget to cover items such as an explosive detection kit, metal detector, computer, printer, 42” television and other audio/visual equipment, generator, camera, photo markers, on-scene lighting, and other miscellaneous tools.
“Once the trailer is fully equipped, it will be placed in service,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Michael Bartlett. “It will probably take around two weeks before the process is complete.”