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 is 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.  When requested we attend funerals 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 2018 International customized rehab vehicle designated as 896.  896 carries 1,000 bottles of water and Gatorade  which are kept at a temperature of 34 degrees at all times.  In addition, 896 carries a wide assortment of snacks and power bars.  In the winter months we provide winter gloves, hand warmers, dry socks, and dry shirts.  Awnings are set up to make a total enclosure and heaters are placed inside to warm firefighters while they are in the rehab area.  In the summer months we set up the awnings with misting fans to cool the firefighters while in the rehab area.  In addition, we provide ice cold towels to firefighters to help bring their core body temperature down.  Also 896 has a large commercial coffee pot and a special recipe for the best “hot chocolate” there is to be found. Most importantly 896 has a restroom accessible to the firefighters.

The 897 vehicle is a 2020 GMC ¾ ton pickup with a camper shell on the back.  This vehicle was designed to look similar to the Battalion Chief’s vehicles.  With this vehicle we are able to respond to both one alarm and multiple alarm fires.  897 carries iced down coolers of water and Gatorade, extra cases of water and Gatorade, a 10’ X 20’ awning which is utilized to get the firefighters out of the element and a 10’ X 10’ awning set up at the rear of the “Command Vehicle” during inclement weather to get the command staff out of the weather.  Also carried are rehab chairs, portable generator, coffee pot and snacks.  The vehicle also has a “Command Rehab Board” which is utilized on all large-scale incidents in tracking the firefighters that come in and out of the Rehab area. Portable chairs and awnings are set up to allow firefighters 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 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.  Other members arrive at the scene in their personal vehicles.

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.