Rehab-Five is a non profit organization. We are not affiliated with any fire buff organizations. Rehab-Five is an all volunteer group made up of Firefighters, Dispatchers, and EMT's. The group was started in 1987 by Peabody Citizen and E.M.T. Roger Baker after it was decided there was a need for rehab on the fireground. Since that time, Rehab-Five has responded to virtually every major incident in the area. In the begining Rehab-Five had three volunteers. Today it has expanded to more then twenty five and is still growing. Having volunteers that are in the Fire Service makes Rehab-Five that much better. The men and women know the job and know the toll it takes on their fellow brothers and sisters and this is why they help.

Our primary goal is to promote and deliver rehabilitation support to the Fire Service within the Southern Essex County Area by providing professional, efficient rehab support services to any incident in a timely and proactive manner.

The purpose of rehab is to ensure that the physical and mental condition of emergency service personnel operating at the scene of an emergency or a training exercise does not deteriorate to a point that affects the safety and integrity of the operation. This procedure should apply to all emergency operations and training exercises where strenuous activity or exposure to heat or cold exists.

Rehab-Five has two types of rehab sectors, formal and informal. An informal rehab sector is usually established at the front of the fire building where firefighters are quickly changing bottles and returning to duty. Here they are given fluids and a quick visual assessment is taken. A formal rehab sector is established away from the fire zone. Here the firefighters remove gear, relax, vitals are monitored, and fluids are replenished over about a 20 minute period.

On the fireground a formal Rehab Sector is established when it is clear that the fire is taking a toll on the firefighters. Rehab-Five's formal Rehab Sector consists of at least one tent with chairs, misting fan, coolers, and medical station. As Firefighters come into the Rehab Sector their vital signs are taken and monitored. They are given fluids and it is up to the primary EMS coordinator to decide when they are released from rehab.

All of Rehab-Fives operations are from guidlines set forth by FEMA, IAFF, & IFSTA.