A Day of Joy & Sadness...........

Today, members of our Team were honored to present our Behavioral Health Workshop to the new recruit class. It was exciting to see their enthusiasm as they begin their careers in the fire department. Later in the morning, we accompanied them to the Sofa Super Store site where we all heard an inspiring presentation by Captain Mark Davis and Captain Chris Villareal. The recruits were challenged to honor the Charleston 9 by working hard and taking ownership in the future of the department. It was a great tribute to our nine heroes that I’m sure would have made them proud. We ended the day by sharing in the retirement of Captain Richard Ridge as he completed a thirty-five year career in the CFD. It was certainly a day filled with much emotion but one that makes us proud to be a part of the Fire Service.

Safety Always on Our Mind!!

Pictured here on Captain George Gardiner and Battalion Chief John Winn cooking for Capt. Ridge's retirement party.  Note Chief Kleskie taking air quality readings.  Not sure it was toxic smoke but it sure smelled good.  Gotta love our Safety Chief!!!

Captain Richard Ridge Retires!

Congratulations to Captain Richard Ridge on thirty-five years of dedicated service to the Charleston Fire Dept. as he retires today. We will miss seeing him in the Captain's seat of Engine 111 as it rolls full bore down Savannah Highway. Enjoy your retirement Captain Ridge!

CFD Recruit Class Begins This Week!

Welcome to forty-nine new recruits who begin their eighteen week training program in the Charleston Fire Department this week. Thirty-nine of these recruits will be joining the ranks of the CFD after graduation, four will be Awendaw firefighters and the remaining three will be Folly Beach firefighters.  We wish you all the best as you progress in your training and will look forward to working with each of you.

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!