Engine 11 Turns 50!!

During the month of December, we will celebrate the continued service of our flagship, Engine 11, with the 50th anniversary of her being placed in service!   She joined the CFD in December, 1960, along with Engine 10, as a matching pair of new pumpers. They were the last two matching pumpers purchased by the CFD until we received the new Engines 108 and 115 recently. Engine 11 faithfully served our community until 1991 when she was sold to Stoney Blanton of Stoney's Old Time Firehouse in Colleton County. Thanks to Stoney, she was stored inside his building where we resurrected her in the summer of 2008. After months of restoration and the support of many, many people, we placed her back in service in November, 2008 where she continues to stand as a tribute to all of those who have served this City so well.  

Recently, I sat behind the wheel and imagined all the action she has seen over the years. Many good men have driven and served on her in her history and she has pumped untold gallons of water. With some good luck and tender care, she will continue to serve us well in the coming years.

Take some time this month to attend one of the parades or just stop by Engine 116's quarters to take her picture.  It will be well worth your time.

CFD Retirees' Meeting Set for December 16!

The December meeting of the CFD Retirees' "Hooked Up" program will be held on Thursday, December 16, in the Fellowship Hall of the Pinecrest Baptist Church located on Ashley Hall Road.  Dinner will be served at 7:00 p.m. followed by a special program. All CFD Retirees and a guest are invited to join us! Don't forget our "Debi's Kids" toy drive. Each man is to bring a gift for a boy and the women are asked to bring a gift for a girl.  We are looking forward to seeing all of you there!

Charleston 9 T-Shirts Are Here!

Our latest order of Charleston 9 t-shirts has arrived.  Please contact Gerald Mishoe by e-mail at gerald@scfirefighters.org or by phone at (843) 609-8300 to order. They will make great Christmas gifts and all proceeds will go to continue to support our Team programs.  

What A Night!

Last night we were treated to an exceptional performance of the play, “The Guys” by members of the Charleston Southern University Players at the Lightsey Chapel on the campus of CSU. The play depicts a story of a FDNY Fire Captain who is tasked with delivering the eulogies for eight of his men lost in the World Trade Center attacks.  Realizing the enormity of the task, the Captain seeks the help of a local journalist to write the eulogies. Amanda Kizzee and Ryan Westen were amazing in their roles as they took us through the memorable evening.  Both of these young rising stars reached the hearts of all in attendance and we are truly thankful for their work. Special thanks also go to Thomas Keating, their Director, and the entire theatre group for making this production possible.

Respect for Our Brothers and Sisters

This past week, we all shared in the sorrow of our brothers and sisters of the Columbia Fire Department in the loss of Firefighter Chance Zobel and the serious injury of Firefighter Larry Irvin. While the events of this week bring us much sadness, they also provide a reminder that life is so very fragile and that we are all fortunate to be a part of this great organization we call the Fire Service. The outpouring of support and respect for these firefighters and their families was truly something to see as Fire Service personnel from all over South Carolina and from many other states came together to honor these men. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to the entire Columbia Fire Department family in the coming days.

St. Andrews Fire Department to Host Santa Claus!

On Saturday, December 4th, the St. Andrews Fire Department will give all kids, big and little, young and old, the opportunity to have their photo made with Santa Claus on a fire engine. Come to the St. Andrews Headquarters Station on Ashley River Road near Sam Rittenberg between 11:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m. to meet Santa and have your photo made. All proceeds will go the the Carolina Children's Charity.

Click on the above headline to see the flyer for this event!

Charleston Firefighters Receive Knights of Columbus Award!!

Captain John Winn, Jr., Engineer Robbie Barrineau, and Firefighters Steven Drexler and Douglas Anderson were awarded the Knights of Columbus Firefighter of the Year award this past Sunday, November 7, in a ceremony in Charleston. Following is an excerpt from the letter of nomination written by their Asst. Chief Robert O'Donald:

"On the early morning of January 2nd, 2010 several 911 calls came into the CFD dispatch reporting a fire in a dwelling at 94 Gordon Street. Charleston dispatched a full alarm assignment consisting of Engines 108, 109, 106, 115, 103, Ladder 104, Rescue 301, Battalions 103, and 104.

Upon the arrival of first due Engine 108, the officer reported a fire in a one story, single family, dwelling. Engine Company 108 forced open the front door and advanced an attack line inside and started to extinguish the fire. The other units arrived and started performing the duties of their individual assignments. Engine 106 and Ladder 104 started a search of the dwelling to check for the possibility of any occupants needing assistance. Engine 106’s search crew made up of Acting Captain Robert Barrineau and Firefighter Douglas Anderson made their way through the house searching and found an unconscious male victim. It appears that the victim had been asleep in his bed when he somehow became aware of the fire and attempted to exit the dwelling. With egress through the front door blocked by the growing fire in the front room, the victim made his way through a hallway to a rear room where he apparently became overcome and was found laying in a corner of the room. Upon locating the victim, Acting Captain Barrineau advised the search crew of Ladder 104 made up of Acting Captain John Winn Jr. and Firefighter Steven Drexler. Acting Captain Winn radioed their findings to command and advised that they were bringing the victim out. The four members worked together carrying and maneuvering the victim through the house and to the front yard.

Once the victim reached the front yard Battalion 103 assigned Engine 103 to patient care and they assisted the rescuers with providing oxygen and artificial respirations to the victim. Charleston County Emergency Medical Service units arrived and Engine 103 provided a driver and an EMT to the EMS unit. The victim was transported to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hospital. The victim was stabilized at MUSC and then flown to the burn unit in Augusta, Georgia.

The above description does not include all of the individuals involved with this incident but it was truly a team effort. From the dispatchers quick notification, the Firefighters efforts, the CPD’s support, to the EMS and MUSC’s care and transport, these efforts all came together to provide the best service available to a member of our community, in their most desperate time of need.

While still recognizing the team effort that was made, the individual actions of Acting Captain Robert Barrineau, then Acting Captain, now Captain John Winn Jr., Firefighter Douglas Anderson, and Firefighter Steven Drexler combined to ensure that this incident resulted in a positive outcome."

Captain John Winn, Jr.



Engineer Robbie Barrineau

 



Firefighter Steven Drexler



Firefighter Douglas Anderson

Congratulations to Captain Winn, Engineer Barrineau, and Firefighters Drexler and Anderson for a job well done!

CFD to Play FDNY in Hockey!!

The Charleston Fire Department Hockey Team will take on the FDNY team at the Carolina Ice Palace this Saturday, November 13 at 4:00 pm. The FDNY Team came to town last year and were sent packing after a 13-0 shellacking by our guys. Come out and cheer the Team on as we hear the FDNY is looking for revenge! You can purchase tickets from any CFD Hockey Team member before the game for $ 5.00.  Tickets at the gate will be $ 10.00.

Our Parade Nevers Ends!!

Today, we began our “Heroes Salute Heroes” program to honor all of our veterans in our community for their service to our country by participating in the annual Veterans' Day Parade downtown. The Fire Service has many military personnel within our ranks, many veterans themselves and others who are reservists that have been activated, some multiple times. Today, we were pleased to have veterans and volunteers from the Good Neighbor Veterans' Center riding with us on Engine 11 as our guests of honor.  When we arrived on the parade route, the organizers asked if we would be willing to be the last unit in the parade as they wanted to have some “flash and noise” for their finale.  Well, old Engine 11 is always good for some “flash and noise” so we were happy to accommodate them.  As we rolled down the streets of Charleston, with Capt. Kevin Storo wheeling Engine 11, we were excited as folks applauded and cheered for our old truck.  But, the highlight of the day was getting to meet and shake hands with veterans who lined the sidewalks, many in the uniforms, and some from World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Afghanistan and Iraq Freedom campaigns. It was truly a great feeling to be able to thank all of them for their service to us and to our country.  

Rust, Rubber, and Memories

Today we made the decision to draw our attempts to restore Truck 9 to a close. Time and the elements have taken their toll and she was too far gone. Some may say that “it’s only a truck” and therefore the decision should not be such a big deal. Well, it’s not about the truck itself but instead what it represents in the memories of those of us who worked with it over the years. I’m sure some of my SAFD friends have their own reflections of the many years this old pickup was in service and I’ll share of few of mine with you. I remember when it was new and then Capt. Henry Duren was our Training Officer. He would take us out to drill and we would fill it up with wet hose to be washed, dried and repacked. He was an amazing man, a good friend, and he taught me more about firefighting than anyone else in my life. I also remember the time it snowed heavily and we tied an old aluminum jon boat behind it and pulled each other around the headquarters station and I remember when I was promoted to Training Officer and proudly drove it the first time as Captain. Most of all, I am taken back to the night in 1973 when my Dad, then Chief of the Department, suffered a fatal heart attack and I tore out of the fire house in it, laying rubber through the apparatus room to get to his side. Yes, you see, it was more than a truck, and sending it to the crusher was not an easy decision. We have parted it out and it will live on in other trucks of my friends. I can tell you that I will smile each time I see one of them rolling down the road.

Charleston Firefighters To Run 10K in Savannah!

On Saturday, December 4, 2010, the Charleston Firefighters Association - Local 61 will be joining the Savannah Firefighters Association - Local 574 and several other firefighter unions from around the Southeast, to run the 2010 Savannah Bridge Run. We will be running the 10K event in bunker gear, in order to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the WWP is a non-profit organization set up to raise awareness and funding for the support of our injured veterans. If anyone would like to participate in the run or make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project via Local 61 and the run please let Local 61 know. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated. All the money raised by Local 61 will be combined with the money raised by the other participating unions and donated to the WWP after the run. Go to www.local61.com for more information on the event.

"The Guys" to Benefit our Team

On November 20, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., the Charleston Southern University Players Theatre group will be presenting the play "The Guys" to benefit our Team and to honor all firefighters and first responders in the Tri-County area.

"The Guys" is a play by Anne Nelson about the aftereffects of the collapse of the World Trade Center. In the play, Joan, an editor, helps Nick, an FDNY captain, prepare the eulogies for an unprecedented number of firefighters who died under his command that day. The play debuted off-Broadway at The Flea Theater on December 4, 2001, directed by Jim Simpson and starring Sigourney Weaver and Bill Murray.

Since 2001, "The Guys" has been presented in 48 US states and in the Czech Republic, Argentina, Japan, Italy and Poland. Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon presented it at the Edinburgh Festival. It enjoyed a commemorative rerun at the Flea Theater in 2006 on the 5th anniversary of 9/11. In parts of the theatrical run the two roles were played by Anthony LaPaglia and Sigourney Weaver. They also star in a 2002 film adaptation, for which Weaver was nominated for a Golden Satellite Award for best performance by an actress. The play was published by Dramatists Play Service and Random House in 2002. The audible.com recorded version, which featured Bill Irwin and Swoosie Kurtz, won an Audie Award for best recorded play of the year.

Please come out and join us for this memorable evening.