JAMES ISLAND FIRE ALLIANCE FOUNDED. KICKS OFF NEW FIRE PREVENTION AND SAFETY CLASSES!

Lynda Hardwick, wife of JIFD Engineer James Yetman recently founded James Island Fire Alliance, Inc., a non-profit organization "creating a fire-safe community" whose mission is to promote public education and awareness of fire prevention and safety as well as assist the firefighting efforts of the JIFD.

JIFD Captain Jason Moore is president of JIFA and takes a very active role in working with the Founder and Board to promote this valuable addition to our community. He is also the instructor for the new fire prevention and safety class scheduled to begin on August 7, 2011.

The Fire Alliance has scheduled the first two sessions of it's free fire prevention and safety class. This class is open to the public free of charge and covers fire safety equipment, home inspections, 911 calls, cooking hazards and fire and smoke's chemical hazards. Seating is limited - please register early! Visit their website for more details at http://www.jifaonline.org/.

Funeral Services Set for Capt. Jeff Bowen

The funeral service for Capt. Jeff Bowen of the Asheville Fire Department will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at the Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville.

Visitation will be held from 6-9 p.m. Monday at the church. Groce Funeral Home of Asheville is handling the arrangements.

"Pink Heals" Tour to Return in September!

The "Pink Heals" tour is scheduled to return to Charleston on September 27 with an escorted ride by the Red Knights Motorcycle Club and area fire departments that will begin in Awendaw and stop at the Medical University and other venues during the day.  This tour, complete with pink fire engines, raises awareness and contributions in support of breast cancer research. Stay tune for more details to come!

Charleston Public Safety Representatives and Military Personnel Planning 10th Anniversary 9/11 Service

A memorial service commemorating the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11 is being planned by local first responders, Charleston Air Force Base officials, the Charleston Fire Chief’s Association, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy, and other public safety agencies for Friday, September 9, 2011, beginning 10:00 a.m., at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.

The public is invited to attend the event. There will be no charge for admission or parking during this service.

Asheville, N.C. Firefighter Killed in the Line of Duty Today

Please keep our Brothers and Sisters of the City of Asheville, N.C. Fire Dept. in your thoughts and prayers. One firefighter is confirmed dead and eight others injured in a midday fire in a medical complex.

"The Bullet" Joins the Team!

Our most recent addition to the Team is Engine 8, a 1976 American LaFrance Century, 1250 gpm pumper. It was originally purchased by the North Charleston District Fire Department in 1976 and served there until 2003 when it was acquired by the C & B Fire Department. Many thanks to our friends at C & B for making it available to us!

We will use it in our public outreach/educational programs to supplement our flagship, Engine 11, as we work to continue to support our firefighters and their families. It gets its' nickname "The Bullet" from its' ability to really "tote the mail", if you know what we mean!! Keep an eye out for it to be roamng the streets soon!

With Great Sadness..........................

It is great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our friend, Chris Harmon, today in Columbia.  Many of you probably didn't know Chris personally as he was the husband of our own Zorrina Harmon, the membership benefits and insurance coordinator for our South Carolina State Firefighters' Association.  Zorrina was instrumental in the initial response to our loss of the Charleston 9 and remained in Charleston for several months in the summer of 2007 making sure the families of the  9 were taken care of and helping with the organization of our Team and the establishment of the CFD counseling unit.  Chris visited many times and always supported Zorrina in her work with us and all firefighters in our State.  Chris was 41 years of age and is survived by Zorrina, their three children, and a large extended family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Zorrina and the Harmon family during this very difficult time.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week.

New Order of T-Shirts Has Arrived!

If any of our readers have ordered a Charleston 9 t-shirt and have not received it, please send me a message at gerald@scfirefighters.org and I will follow up with you.  We just received a new shipment and have mailed our back orders out.  The last few should reach those of you waiting in a few days.  Thank you for your support and your patience!

4th Annual Charleston 9 Remembrance Picnic Shirts Available!

The Charleston Fire Department Wives' Club has souvenir t-shirts from the 4th Annual Charleston 9 Remembrance Picnic. Anyone interested in one of these limited addition shirts can contact the Wives' Club directly on their Facebook page.  The Support Team will also have them available in our office next week for pick-up.

Camp "Can Do" a Great Success!

Today, we had the privilege to meet 40 great kids who are in attendance at this week's "Camp Can Do" for burned children being held at Camp St. Christopher on Seabrook Island.  Congratulations to all of the firefighters from many departments along with the other counselors that have worked so hard to take care of these kids this week and make this camp a great success.  It was truly our pleasure to spend time with them today.

As We Enjoy Our Freedom.........

This weekend, as we all enjoy the birth of our great country, take time to remember all of those who keep us free. Thank you to all of our military all over the world who can't be with their families so we can be with ours. We also pause to remember all who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can remain free. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!