Happy New Year to All!

May each of you have a safe and properous New Year!

The Charleston Firefighter Support Team

Support Team to Present Workshop for All CFD Wives and Fiancees'!

The mission of the Charleston Firefighter Support Team is very straightforward. We are dedicated to the emotional health and well-being of the firefighters and families of the Charleston Fire Department. Though the Support Team came into existence in response to the tragic fire on June 18, 2007 our mission goes well beyond helping those impacted by that night. There is growing awareness nationally of the need to provide access to counseling for all firefighters and their family members and our team has an opportunity to lead the way in this important endeavor. We want you to know that you are, as a family member of a Charleston firefighter, an integral part of the Support Team being effective in our mission.

While many CFD family members have been a part of our formal program, it is our goal for the New Year to reach out to each and every person in the CFD family. A part of that effort will be to present our Behavioral Health Workshop to all wives and fiancées of our firefighters. There are specific stressors unique to the fire service that can have an impact on marriages and relationships. This workshop will focus on the issues facing you as the spouse, or future spouse, of a firefighter.

Subjects will include stress, grief, anxiety, bereavement, alcohol or substance abuse, and communications with special emphasis on children and couples’ relationships. One of the main objectives of this program is to open a dialogue with you to seek your input on how we may improve our services to assist you, your children, and your firefighter in the future.

Come and join us for this very important workshop. We look forward to seeing you there! Refreshments will be served.

Please R.S.V.P. Gerald Mishoe at gerald @scfirefighters.org or by calling (843) 609-8300 so that we can prepare for the appropriate number of participants.

When: Saturday, January 16, 2010

Where: Salvation Army Conference Center

2135 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC

Time: 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Special thanks to the CFD Wives' Club for sponsoring this very important and worthwhile workshop.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

Team Adds "New" Car to Collection!

Since we completed the restoration of Engine 11, it was not too far fetched to think that we needed (or wanted) another vehicle. Today, we debuted our "new" Fire Chief's car in the Summerville Christmas parade. It will accompany Engine 11 when we attend public functions or events in the community as part of our public outreach program. Both of them seemed to be well received today as the crowd cheered and clapped when they rolled together down Main Street in Summerville.  

The 1962 Ford Galaxie Country Sedan began its' fire service career as the Marion, Virginia Fire Department Chief's car in 1962. After being retired, it passed through several owners before we found it in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Thankfully, it has already been restored and we were able to immediately put it to work.

Christmas on Mary Street

Our Team participated in the "Christmas on Mary Street" program tonight for the Boys and Girls Club of Charleston.  Our assignment was to bring Santa into the party on the back of Engine 11. Obviously, Santa is truly a wise old guy as he wound up posing with Amanda, who apparently was his favorite elf.  

'Tis the Season!

At the September meeting of the CFD Retirees' "Hooked Up" program, the group decided to support the "Debi's Kids" program by collecting and donating toys for the underprivileged children in our community. The retirees held their fourth quarter meeting last night at the Charleston Baptist Church and gathered 120 new toys for the program. Tonight, we were proud to accompany CFD retirees Winston Lesesne and Augie Meyers to present those toys on behalf of our retirees to Debi Chard of Live 5 News, at a live remote at the Tanger Outlet Wal-Mart. Thanks to all who contributed to this effort.

Dancing with the Devil.. A Must Read!

There is an article on Firehouse.com that is important reading for all of you in the firefighting profession.  It is a story of the struggles of a 36 year veteran of the fire service after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Please take a few minutes to read this article by clicking on the title of this post above.  It will be time well spent.

Taking One for the Team!

Regardless of the need, Richie and Joe are always the first to volunteer.  Today was no different as they, once again, stepped up when called as we all enjoyed the annual Christmas parade in downtown Charleston.

Went to Visit Today!

We took Engine 11 over to its' old home today for photos.  Don't believe it had been there since 1991.

Remembering Our Worcester Brothers

Today, we remember six Worcester, Mass. firefighters, James Lyons, Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton, Joseph McGuirk, Thomas Spencer and Timothy Jackson who gave their lives in the line of duty on this day ten years ago.  Our thoughts are with the entire Worcester Fire Department family as we mark this day.