However, this summer they've been dealing with a destructive guest whose impact will be felt for years to come.
Sunbathers and laughing children playing on their pristine beaches were replaced by workers clad in hazmat suits and boots, toting tools, buckets and bags.
Battalion Chief Kevin Lanford told attendees at the Fire-Rescue International conference yesterday that they were keeping an eye on the oil spewing into the Gulf following the explosion of the Transocean Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20.
About 40-45 days later, the gooey mess spread to Orange Beach, a Gulf town of 5,600.
This summer has been anything but normal for the 35 personnel at the Orange Beach Fire Department.
Since the federal government never declared it a disaster, FEMA hasn't been involved.
"It's been called just an accident," he said.
Private contractors hired by BP to clean up the tar balls on their beaches created a number of issues.
"Welcome to Alabama," he said of the workers who weren't used to the heat, humidity and blaring sun.
Many have been treated for heat-related issues and other minor injuries. Protective suits that were adding to the heat problems were soon discarded by most workers.
The clean-up contracts required an ALS provider be on the scene during the operation. At first, commercial ambulance companies were hired. But, they were going against state protocols.
So, Orange Beach paramedics were hired to do the standbys.
Lanford said the medics work on their days off.
Not willing to leave their community short of medical equipment, he said they gave the list of things required to do the job. BP paid for two monitors, hazmat supplies, gear and two four-wheelers.
A portable trailer was moved close to the beach. A treatment room equipped with a heart monitor, drugs and IVs was set up.
Contractors established a decon area where vehicles and boats are washed. "If we go on the beach for a call, we get oil on our vehicles and on us," he said adding that providers wore booties over their shoes.
"A lot of times, our patients were covered with oil as well. So, they needed decon," he said adding that he has stressed the importance of documentation.
Lanford said they've been worried about the chemical sprayed on the oil early on. "Who knows, really?"
After the suicide of a local charter boat captain, Lanford said mental health officials stepped in to provide counseling.
The captain, who had lived his entire life on the water there, had been hired to help with the oil spill operation.
"People who worked on the water were worried they may not make it until their next pay check," he said.
In addition to the stress and mess, Lanford said egos of contractors and frustration also added to the situation.
"Just who is in charge?" he asked. "Good question."
There was constant change in contractors, which left the workers very frustrated. There were fights on the beaches.
Things have improved over the last several weeks, and some shrimping operations are getting underway.
What bothers Lanford is that since the well has been capped, the operation is being scaled back. "We all know that the oil is still out there. No one is buying that it just disappeared."
Lanford said he's also worried about the long range health issues caused by the slimy, gooey oil.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
