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Volunteer group aids firefighters
By Cynthia Coleman Franklin
Diversity Institute Fellow
08.13.04
When a fire broke out at an
abandoned warehouse earlier this week, two trucks from the Nashville Fire
Department responded and so did a group known as the Nashville Buffs Volunteers
Box 55.
"We mainly support the
firefighters," said Ed Sandoval, a member of the Buffs. "We make sure the
firefighters have cool drinks, snacks, water and refreshments. We stay until the
firefighters leave."
The group, which started in 1952, is
a nonprofit organization of volunteers who respond to fires and other
emergencies, such as search and rescue missions, SWAT calls and incidents
involving hazardous materials.
On Wednesday, nine construction
workers were inside a vacant warehouse located at 27 Avenue North and Delaware
when a fire started at about 12:55 p.m. The warehouse, which was being renovated
for use by several doctors, was gutted. The workers escaped without harm.
Building Superintendent John
Templeton of I-Kon Construction in Brentwood said the crew had started work on
building Monday.
"The floors had been swept," he
said. "All you could see was posts, beams and the floor. We were getting ready
to vacuum it when somebody yelled fire."
By 4 p.m., flames were still coming
from the warehouse. At one moment, a gush of soot, water and smoke burst from
the building and ran down the street. The Buffs sat patiently near their command
station, waiting to serve the firefighters a cool drink.
James "Jim Bo" Nelson, president of
the Buffs, said the group was founded by former Nashville Fire Chief John
Ragsdale and Mayor Ben West.
Nelson said West, a fire buff, would
often go to the scenes of fires to help firefighters. During the Buffs' earlier
years, a local doctor also was among the volunteers.
The Buffs do not receive any special
training, Nelson said, although some are trained to drive and operate the rescue
vans. The Buffs hold yearly conventions. In 1996, about 300 fire buffs from
across the country attended the group's convention.
Nelson is a Buff volunteer who also
works as an engineer for the fire department.
"If there's a two-alarm fire, we
automatically respond," Nelson said.
The Buffs have a mobile kitchen that
is equipped with basic first aid supplies in case the firefighters suffer minor
injuries.
"Whenever there's a fire, these guys
are always here," said firefighter Barry Byers, as he got a cold drink during
the recent warehouse fire.
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