North Charleston’s new fire station off Ashley River Road to fill big need for fire coverage

VIDEO: The North Charleston Fire Department (NCFD) is preparing to open its newest fire station off Ashley River Road, filling a big need for fire coverage in the area. “The station was built with expansion in mind as we develop more of the area. The plan is to add a ladder company to that station. We’re gonna start with one engine company in the station and it will house four people,” explained North Charleston Fire Chief Joseph Munn. The new Fire Station 14 is on Ashley River Road right around the corner from the Watson Hill development. “That’s a long way to go around Bacons Bridge Road or Glenn McConnell to 61- so that area is kind of an isolated area,” he said. “By us building a station there, it will improve response times greatly, literally we’re gonna be right outside the neighborhood.”
WCBD-TV NBC 2 Charleston

Clemson University Fire and EMS Department earns fifth straight Fire Safe South Carolina designation

Clemson University Fire and EMS Department (CUFD) continues to be a leader in the state in community risk reduction, earning its fifth straight “Fire Safe South Carolina” Community designation from Fire Safe South Carolina (FSSC). FSSC is a community risk-reduction program that annually recognizes fire departments in the state for community risk-reduction plans, according to a news release from the university. To earn the designation, fire departments completed courses to improve data quality, trained community partners to deliver in-home safety visits and further developed their skills through online National Fire Academy courses in risk reduction and assessment. “It is an honor for Clemson University Fire and EMS to be named a Fire Safe Community in South Carolina for the fifth year in a row,” said community risk reduction Lt. Jennifer Thackston.
Upstate Today - Metered Site

South Carolina State Firefighters Association ask legislature for better healthcare amid cancer concerns

The South Carolina State Firefighters Association brought fire service personnel from across the palmetto state to speak with legislators on Wednesday. Among the many changes discussed was a new bill that would expand the firefighter healthcare benefit plan. The current bill allows all South Carolina state residents who have been working for a fire department for five consecutive years, or within a ten year retirement, to be eligible for monetary assistance following their diagnosis. What the first bill didn’t account for is those who live across the South Carolina border but still work in the state. This new bill would delete the requirement that a person must be a resident of this state to receive assistance from their diagnosis.
WIS-TV NBC/CW 10 Columbia

Myrtle Beach Fire Department’s first high-water vehicle ready for hurricane season

VIDEO: Myrtle Beach Fire Department recently secured its first high water vehicle, also known as a light medium tactical vehicle. When hurricane season begins on June 1, the department plans to use the water vehicle for many different flooding situations if needed. The department says it’ll be used for transporting resources and rescuing people. “It’s another tool in the toolbox that we can use for these types of situations, again better to be overprepared then underprepared so it’s nice to have this as an addition to the fleet,” Capt. Jonathan Evans with Myrtle Beach Fire Department said. With help from South Carolina Forestry, the department was able to get the water vehicle last summer through federal firefighter programs. The programs work with departments to repurpose former military equipment.
WBTW-TV CBS 13 Florence