September 4, 2024, Greene County Fire Rescue tragically lost one of its own in the line of duty. Battalion Chief Chris Eddy was killed by a violent explosion from a refrigerated “reefer” container, carrying frozen chicken—an incident that has sent shockwaves through the emergency services community and beyond asking how this happened.

Just four minutes after dispatch, Battalion Chief Eddy arrived on a two-lane stretch of State Highway 15, just north of Greensboro. Using his Traffic Incident Management System (TIMS) training, he maneuvered past the burning tractor-trailer and positioned his vehicle to block the northbound lane—creating a safe work zone for responders.

Eddy established command and performed a full 360-degree assessment of the incident scene. He confirmed that there was no hazardous material placards present and identified the trailer as a standard refrigerated unit. With no indication of any unusual danger, operations proceeded.

Within five minutes of his arrival, without warning, the reefer container exploded with a force likened to a bomb. The blast instantly claimed Chief Eddy’s life.

Reefer containers, commonly used to transport perishable goods such as frozen meats, vegetables, fruits, and chocolates, are not classified as hazardous materials under current national guidelines. As a result, fire and emergency services across the country have received little to no training on the potential dangers these trailers may pose.

Fire Chief Rodney Wiggins is determined that Battalion Chief Eddy’s sacrifice will not be in vain. “This wasn’t just a tragic accident,” said Chief Wiggins. “This was a wake-up call for all of us in emergency services.”

Wiggins is now leading an effort to educate responders at every level—fire, EMS, law enforcement, and even tow operators—about the hidden risks of reefer containers. “There are so many teaching moments in this incident,” he emphasized. “This could happen anywhere. We need to prepare our teams for the unexpected.”

Chatham County Fire is proud to host a two-day training event January 13 & 14, 2026, at Savannah Technical College, 5717 White Bluff Rd. Savannah, Ga. 31405. To register, scan the QR code OR click here:https://calendly.com/chathamcountyfire/lodd-training