VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A Valdosta business is bringing fuel directly to families displaced by the Highway 82 wildfire in Brantley County by delivering gas to shelters across South Georgia.

VelociFuel traveled to shelters to fuel vehicles for displaced families, meeting a critical need during this emergency.

“Sometimes you can’t get to a gas station in an emergency situation… you’re stuck. So we wanted the ability to get where others cannot,” said Kindall McDearmid, COO of VelociFuel.

The team made deliveries in their dinosaur-branded truck, which brought smiles to children at the shelters.

“You wouldn’t believe how wonderful it was to be able to make people smile… it was worth every single gallon of gas we gave away,” McDearmid said.

Mobile fueling faces regulatory challenges in Georgia

VelociFuel is working to coordinate direct support with first responders, but the effort has highlighted regulatory gaps.

“As far as I know, we are the first legally operating one in Georgia… because there’s so many rules and regulations surrounding a business like this,” McDearmid said. “Mobile fueling… it’s not really done in Georgia… there’s not a protocol in place.”

The company is now working with local and state leaders to make mobile fueling part of future emergency response plans.

VelociFuel says it will remain on call to help families as they return home and recover. The company plans to work with local leaders to expand the service across Georgia.

Learn more about the various wildfires burning across South Ga. below.

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