Engine 8 Comes Home! Well Almost!

Last week, we acquired a 1976 American LaFrance Century pumper to add to our collection of vehicles.  This old engine has personal significance to me in that it was the first new vehicle purchased by the North Charleston District Fire Department in 1976 shortly after I joined the District as an Assistant Chief.  It was purchased along with a 1976 American LaFrance 100' rear mount aerial ladder and was the pride of our fleet in those days.  It roamed the streets of North Charleston, manned by a host of great firefighters, who kicked butt and took names, until it was transferred to the C & B Fire Department in Ladson in 2003.  Many thanks to the C & B Board of Directors for making it available to us, and to Chief Troy Williams and all of our friends at C & B for taking great care of her.  We will be sure that she continues to represent all of you as she joins our other vehicles in our public outreach and education programs.   

CFD Recruits to Graduate on Friday!

The next class of recruits will graduate on Friday, June 24, 2011, marking the completion of twenty-three weeks to prepare them to join the ranks of the Charleston Fire Department. Come join us as we welcome them into the CFD family!

Story of the "Wear Red for the 9" T-Shirts

We are extremely appreciative of all of our friends who have supported our “Wear Red for the 9” campaign by purchasing the Charleston 9 t-shirts from us. I thought it appropriate, as we approach June 18, to tell you the story of how these shirts came about. The shirts were first designed by Mikey Frenchie’s uncle, Legrand Campbell, prior to last year‘s Charleston 9 Memorial. After some discussions with Diane French, Mikey’s mother, Legrand agreed to allow Diane to print an adaptation of his original design. Diane had about twenty dozen printed two weeks prior to last year’s memorial and sold out quickly. She and her family asked our Team if we would take over the project and work with them to continue it. The intent of this effort is, and has always been, to continue to honor the 9 and we have been blessed to receive the support of lots of people who share that vision. In addition to honoring the 9 by wearing these shirts, we use the proceeds from their sale to continue to help support training programs and activities of our Team as we feel that is another appropriate way to honor the 9.

We would like to take this opportunity to, once again, thank all of you for your support of our program and our Team and to especially thank Legrand Campbell and Diane French for their vision in starting this project.

Good News from our Friends!!

I received a phone call this evening from Murrells Inlet Garden City Fire Department Captain Nick Juliano's wife, Julia, who wanted to express their sincere thanks to our CFD family for supporting them during their stay at MUSC. As previously reported here, Capt Nick suffered a heart attack while fighting an apartment fire on June 4, 2011.  He has made amazing progress and was discharged today to return home where he continues to recuperate. We wish them all the best as we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Thank You from Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire Department!

I had the opportunity to see Chief Norman Knight of the MIGCFD today at the Fire Rescue Conference today in Myrtle Beach. He wanted to express his department's thanks to all of the members of the CFD who have so generously supported his Captain and his family while he has been hospitalized in Charleston. For those who may not have heard, A MIGCFD Captain suffered a heart attack while fighting an apartment fire last Saturday. Due to the quick action fof his fellow firefighters, he was resuscitated, transported to a Georgtown hospital, and then airlifted to MUSC in Charleston.  Chief Knight and his entire department are indebted to all of the CFD  members who have continued to stop by the hospital to be sure that the Captain and his family have what they need.  

"Run for the 9" a Big Success!

Photo courtesy of  Diane French

Today, 400 + runners and walkers honored the memory of the Charleston 9 by participating in the "Run for the 9". The Run originated at Joe Riley Stadium and wound through the streets of Charleston before ending back at "The Joe" for a big party. Many of us were in attendance at the Fire-Rescue Conference  in Myrtle Beach but cheered the participants on in spirit.  Thanks to Nick Daymut and all who worked so hard to make this event a big success!!  "Never Forget."

Fourth Annual Memorial to be Held to Honor Charleston 9

On Saturday, June 18th, 2011, the Charleston Fire Department, our families, and our community will come together for the fourth anniversary of the Sofa Super Store Fire that claimed the lives of  nine of our brothers. A private service is set to take place at 6:00 p.m. for the Charleston 9 families and CFD personnel.. Chief Tom Carr will read the names of our fallen firefighters and, at the conclusion of the private ceremony, a small orchestra will play and the site will be opened to the public. We invite all of you to join us for this special event. 

5K "Run for the Nine" Next Saturday!!

Don't forget that the 2011 "Run for the Nine" Memorial 5K is next Saturday, June 11, starting at the Riverdogs Stadium in Charleston. Go to http://www.local61.com/ for more information or visit the "Run for the Nine" Facebook page. All proceeds are going to the Charleston 9 Memorial fund.

Fulfilling Its' Mission!

After being on display at the Firefighter Combat Challenge at Citadel Mall, participating in the service for Retired Battalion Chief James Howard, and riding a Columbia firefighter and his bride away from their wedding at Central Station, Engine 11, our flagship, ended a  busy week on Memorial Day by being a part of a birthday party for CFD member Matt Thomson's four-year-old twins, Allison and Cameron. We have been asked many times if we were worried about it being damaged with so much activity. We restored it in hopes it would become a part of the lives of our firefighters and their families.  We consider the shoe scuffs and scratches as proof that it is fulfilling its' duties and are proud to be able to make it available to our CFD family.