Holmes County volunteer fire departments join forces with Walton County Fire-Rescue

On Tuesday, January 6, at approximately 12:45 p.m. the Pittman Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) in Holmes County responded to the intersection of Highway 2 and County Road 179 following reports of a vehicle collision involving a sedan and a semi-truck transporting logs. Reports indicate that following the collision, the semi-truck left the roadway, and the trailer and cargo separated, striking the corner of a vacant dwelling and causing structural damage.

PVFD chief Alfred Sellers requested Ponce de Leon Volunteer Fire and Rescue (PDLVFR) Heavy Rescue 5 for structural stabilization. After a joint assessment with PDLVFR chief Douglas Remmel, additional assistance was requested from the Walton County Fire-Rescue (WCFR) Technical Rescue Team (FL-TRT106), and the Team was activated at approximately 2:30 p.m. to ensure structural stability and support safe recovery of the semi-truck cab.

The logging truck reportedly lost control when another vehicle pulled out in front of it. The driver sustained minor injuries and exited the vehicle prior to the Team’s arrival. No occupants were inside the home at the time of impact; however, the structure was significantly compromised, and towing operations posed a risk of collapse to the structure and additional damage to the vehicle.

Nine members of FL-TRT106 implemented a stabilization plan, installing three vertical shores to reinforce weakened areas. Once stabilized, crews removed entangled building materials, allowing the crews to then safely extract the semi-truck without further damage to the structure.

The incident was resolved in just over two hours. In a social media post on the PVFD Facebook page, Chief Sellers acknowledged the assistance of the Esto Fire Department, Matthew Clemons, New Hope Volunteers Fire Department, Pine Log Volunteer Fire Department, Ponce de Leon Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Gritney Volunteer Fire Department, Walton County Fire-Rescue, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Holmes County EMS, Eastern Diesel & Auto Wrecker Service Inc., and Kevin Goodyear Towing.