A Little Bit of History for Our St. Andrews Brothers and Sisters!

This is a photo taken in 1967 of a 1954 International front mount pumper actually built by the members of the St. Andrews Fire Department.  This truck was originally a Coburg milk truck and the chassis was donated to St. Andrews by the dairy.  Asst. Chief Mickey Kennedy in pictured in the left of the photo and retired Asst. Chief Robert Parish is at the driver's door.  I actually learned to drive and pump on this truck and it served in the department for many years. This photo was taken in the driveway of the old headquarters station on the corner of Hwy. 61 and Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

On the Job in Village Green!

Charleston and St. Andrews crews responded to a structure today on Forest Glen Avenue off of Highway 61.  They encountered heavy fire coditions in the attic of a single family dwelling and mounted an interior attack before backing out and letting Truck 5 even up the odds.  Hats off to all for the defensive call and a safe operation.

I learned long ago that if you want to get a photo of an actual fire, you have to beat these guys to the call!!

Car Show to Benefit "Camp Happy Days"!

On Saturday, March 27th, we will be participating in the 26th Annual Southern Drag Racing Association's Car Show to raise money for "Camp Happy Days".  The show will be held in the parking lot of the Texas Roadhouse on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, beginning at 10:00 a.m..  Judging will be completed and trophies will be awarded at 3:00 p.m.  We were honored to receive the "Best in Show" trophy last year for the Charleston 9 "Never Forget" Camaro and we will be there this again year with Engine 11, "Big Red", our Team 1962 Ford Fire Chief's car, as well as the CFD 9 Camaro.  The SDRA raised over $ 8,500.00 for Camp Happy Days last year during this show so please come out and join us for a great day and a great cause!

Intruder Encounters a "Little" Trouble!

I have written here several times about my friends I share breakfast with at Ms. Eva's on Main Street in Summerville.  "Mr. Henry" is one of the guys that always has a good story to tell.  Mr. Henry is in his early nineties and having lost his wife last year, he lives by himself in Summerville.  It seems that one day, week before last, Mr. Henry heard a noise on his front porch early one morning and, as he went to the door to check out the noise, an intruder kicked in the door with the obvious intent of robbing him.  In addition to collecting old tin fire trucks, Mr. Henry apparently collects guns and the young fellow didn't count on Mr. Henry and his 32 caliber pistol.  As Mr. Henry blazed away, the would-be burglar turned tail and ran for high ground leaving Mr. Henry with his pride, his broken down door, and his door frame full of bullet holes.  You know how the song goes, "Don't tug on Superman's cape", don't spit into the wind, don't take the mask off the ole Lone Ranger and don't mess around with Jim" or Henry either!!.

Can You Identify Any of These Folks?

This is a photo of several retired Charleston firefighters receiving years of service pins from Charleston Mayor J. Palmer Gaillard, circa 1960's.   Can you identify any of them?

"Amazing Grace" by Il Divo

Amazing Grace is a song that we have all heard many times and while it sometimes brings sadness to mind it hopefully more often times bring joy to our hearts.  The singing group Il Divo recorded this version at the Coliseum in Rome and is one of the most touching and beautiful renditions that I have heard. I hope you will enjoy it.

Click on the caption above to watch the video.

The Passing of a Friend......

Captain Cellars George Seabrook, CFD Retired, passed away this week here in Charleston.  His funeral service was held on Thursday, January 28, at the Edisto Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island.  Our most sincere condolences go out to Captain Seabrook's family including his sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Captain Seabrook served much of his career in the truck house on Coming Street as the Captain of Truck 4.  I remember my days as a young firefighter when I would visit the truck house.  Captain Seabrook always treated me with great respect and he, along with the others in the truck companies led by example and taught me the importance of pride in your work.   It was lessons I would remember many times during my career.