Fire department offers free training after battalion chief killed in container explosion

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Chatham County Fire will host free training on refrigerated container hazards in January 2026 following the line-of-duty death of a Greene County battalion chief in September of last year.

Battalion Chief Chris Eddy of Greene County Fire Rescue was killed Sept. 4, 2024, by an explosion from a refrigerated container carrying frozen chicken.

In a social media post earlier today, October 29, 2025, Chatham County Fire says the incident prompted Fire Chief Rodney Wiggins to develop specialized training focused on the tragedy and responder safety implications.

“This wasn’t just a tragic accident,” Wiggins said. “This was a wake-up call for all of us in emergency services.”

Wiggins said he developed the class to ensure Eddy’s sacrifice would not be in vain. The training focuses on unique hazards posed by refrigerated containers during emergency incidents.

The Reefer Container Awareness training is scheduled for Jan. 13-14, 2026, and is free to attend. Registration information is available through Chatham County Fire.

Course Highlights

1. Early Identification of Reefer Containers
2. 1. Spot visual and documentation clues quickly.
   2. Learn why non-hazardous cargo doesn’t mean “no danger.”
   3. Build procedures for rapid, accurate size-up.
3. Reefer Container Construction and Insulation
4. 1. Understand how container design influences fire behavior.
   2. Learn how insulation materials impact firefighting tactics.
5. Initial Response Recommendations
6. 1. Apply proven strategies for incident size-up.
   2. Prioritize responder safety with reefer-specific risk assessment.
7. Preparing for Your Worst Day as a Fire Chief
8. 1. Test your department’s operational readiness.
   2. Lead with confidence under pressure.
   3. Access and utilize known state-level resources.
9. Our NIOSH Report Review
10. 1. Dive into lessons learned from the BC Eddy incident.
    2. Translate findings into practical, actionable change.
    3. Protect your people through updated policies and procedures.

Who Should Attend?

• Fire Officers
• Incident Commanders
• Company Officers
• Hazmat Teams
• Training Officers
• Anyone involved in fireground decision-making or size-up

Earlier this month, October 4 marked “Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day” in the city of Savannah and “Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week” in Chatham County.

Savannah’s historic fire bell rang 30 times that morning to remember firefighters who have died in the line of duty or from cancer.

The tradition dates back to the time of the telegraph and signals the death of a firefighter in the line of duty.