After watching Homewood fire fighters struggle to move large trees from the roadways to gain access for emergency vehicles in a post-storm emergency, Mayor Scott McBrayer re-assigned one of the City’s surplus BobCat skid steer loaders to the Fire Department for exclusive use during an emergency. 

Homewood Fleet Maintenance refurbished the BobCat, bringing the machine to a mechanically sound state. In addition, fire fighters have worked diligently to adapt the diesel powered loader for fire and rescue work. A log grapple bucket for the loader was acquired at no cost to the City. Fire Department members have also re-painted the machine and welded on modifications in preparation for storm scene work.