City of Charleston Fire Department

The City of Charleston Fire Department is an ISO Class 3 (Class 3/9) fire department consisting of 20 fire companies located throughout the city of Charleston, South Carolina. The Charleston Fire Department covers several areas including - Downtown "The Peninsula" West Ashley, James Island, Daniel Island, and John's Island.

History

The first fire department in Charleston was a private insurance company which responded to fires of its members only; insured houses were marked by a metal plate on the front of the house. The first fire insurance company in America, the Friendly Society, began in Charleston on February 3, 1736.^[1] The earliest records of a volunteer fire department in Charleston appear in the minutes of the Board of Firemasters dated October 18, 1819. References to a Board of Firemasters date back to at least 1792.^[2] Until January 1, 1882, the fire department was a voluntary effort; after that date, the city fire department was a paid, professional department of the city. The newly formed fire department of 1882 had 103 firemen. Its first fire pumper was bought in 1910.^[3]

Organization

The Chief of Department supervises 2 Deputy Chiefs, 3 Assistant Chiefs and 12 Battalion Chiefs, who command three shifts and work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. The remainder of the Fire Department staff consists of Captains, Engineers and firefighters. A Captain is in charge of each station, with an Engineer and two to three firefighters in his company.^[4]

Operations

Fire Apparatus Profile

• 16 Engines(E102, E103, E106, E107, E108, E109, E110, E111, E112, E113, E115, E116, E117, E118, E119, E120)
• 4 Trucks(L101,T102,L104,T105
• 4 Battalions(B103, B104, B105, B106)
• 2 Haz-Mat. Units(HM101, HM102)
• 1 Foam Truck(FT125)
• 1 Air Unit (Air101)

Fire Station Locations and Apparatus

Of the three fire stations built in 1887 after the Great Earthquake, only this one at 116 Meeting St. is no longer in use; it has been converted into offices.

Station 8, which houses Engine 108, was built in 1910 at 370 Huger St. to serve to upper peninsula.

Following the earthquake of 1886 that devastated Charleston, the board of the Firemasters suggested selling off some stations, buying new locations, and building stations in a more strategic layout.^[5] The result was a series of three firehouses. Each one was designed by Daniel G. Wayne and cost about $28,000. The firehouse at the northeast corner of Wentworth and Meeting Streets became the most prominent and was, until 2013, the central fire house and office for the Chief of the fire department.^[6] The other two stations, built in 1887 are at 5 Cannon St. and 116 Meeting St. A new Headquarters opened on Heriot St. in November 2013, and the department has a total of 15 stations. The new Headquarters, Station 9, was designed by Rosenblum Coe Architects is the largest fire station in Charleston and built to withstand severe storms and seismic activity.^[7]

Battalion 103

The quarters of Engine 102, Engine 103, and Car 2 were built in 1887 at the northeast corner of Wentworth and Meeting Streets.

Engine 106 is located at 5 Cannon Street.

Battalion 104

Battalion 105

Battalion 106

Fire Marshal Division

Created in 2010, the CFD Fire Marshal Division consists of a Fire Marshal (Battalion Chief), 3 Deputy Fire Marshals, 2 Assistant Fire Marshals, and 2 Fire Inspectors. The Fire Marshal Division completes inspections, plan reviews, permitted work inspections, public education, and fire investigations.

Emergency Medical Services

Emergency medical services for the City of Charleston is provided by Charleston County Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) & Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS). The city is served by both Charleston & Berkeley counties EMS and 911 services since the city is part of both counties. The Charleston Fire Department provides basic life support services and assist the County ambulatory services.

Apparatus

The CFD took delivery of a Pierce 104 foot tiller drawn aerial apparatus in the fall of 2013. It is the first tiller (L104) in Charleston since the 1940s. In February 2014, the CFD put in service 3 Pierce Arrow XT front line engines. (E103, E113, E116).^[8]

References