Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Come Join the Party!

On Saturday, September 10, 2011, the St. Andrews Firefighters' Community Assistance Fund will hold their first block party to raise funds for their cause. This party will be held in the Avondale business district at Magnolia Road and Savannah Highway, West of the Ashley. The party will include a silent auction, jump castle, dunkin' booth, and fire trucks for the children, big and little.

SAFCAF is a 501 (3)(c)  tax exempt foundation whose mission is to provide residents or organizations with financial or volunteer assistance as needed. This block party will be SAFCAF's first big fundraiser and promises to be a day of fun for all.  In addition, many of the Avondale merchants and restaurants will be offering a 10% discount on purchases during the day.  Plan to come out and join them for live music and entertainment for the entire family!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Tennessee Fire Chief to Head S.C. Fire Academy

Chief Shane Ray of Pleasant View, Tennessee, has been named the new Superintendent of the South Carolina Fire Academy. He will begin work October 3, 2011.

“I look forward to the opportunities and challenges of this position and am excited to join the South Carolina team,” Ray said. “My passion for fire service training is long standing, and I believe we can work together to continue and advance fire service training in South Carolina.”

The Fire Academy’s mission is to provide statewide training for South Carolina fire service personnel: paid, volunteer, airport crash rescue firefighters, industrial fire brigade and other emergency response personnel. The Fire Academy provides basic and advanced training for firefighters, fire officers, instructors and fire department support functions, which include public fire education, fire prevention, inspections and fire investigations.

Chief Ray began his fire service career in 1984 and worked through the ranks of career and volunteer organizations serving from firefighter to chief. He also served six years as Mayor of the Town of Pleasant View. Ray currently serves as Chief of the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department and as Associate Director of Public Fire Protection for the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

“We are excited for Chief Ray to join our team in South Carolina,” S.C. State Fire Marshal Adolf Zubia said. “South Carolina firefighters are anxious to welcome him and look forward to his innovative training ideas that will help South Carolina lead the nation in training.”

Chief Ray is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government fellowship program, the University of Maryland’s Leadership Development Program, and the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. He was selected as Fire Chief Magazine’s Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year for 2005, Eastern Kentucky University’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award for 2006, and is the Tennessee Fire Chief of the Year 2011.

Chief Ray currently serves as Chairman of the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Legislative Committee, Chairman of the Tennessee Fire Service Coalition, and is International Director for the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Carolina Children's Charity's 8K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk Set for September 24th!

The 8th Annual Carolina Children's Charity's 8K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk  will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011, starting at the  Hanahan Recreation Center, 3100 Mabeline Rd. Hanahan, South Carolina, located behind Trident Technical College on Rivers Avenue. Our firefighters are huge supporters of the Carolina Children's Charity and we invite our entire fire department family to come out to support this event.

Click on the above headline to view all of the details!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Brotherhood Ride 2011 Has Begun!

Join us in supporting our CFD firefighters as they begin their ride to Ground Zero to honor all of the firefighters, police officers and EMS personnel lost on September 11, 2001. Matt Thomson, David Griffin and John Cole of the CFD are riding in memory of those lost. Thanks to each of them and to all of the others who are riding as they make us proud!  They will be stopping in Charleston this Sunday, August 28 and leaving on Monday morning, August 29. Watch for updates amd come out and cheer them on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_3IW6Pgp5jY

Monday, August 22, 2011

A True Talent!

These prints are from original watercolors by CFD Firefighter Adam Hurst.  It is our honor to display his work here and in our office.  Adam truly has a gift and we thank him for sharing it with us!  Anyone interested in his work can contact him directly at (850) 445-1985.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

"Celebrating Our Fire Department Kids"

I was blessed to be born a firefighter's child in Conway, South Carolina. One of the fondest memories of my childhood was when we would ride on the fire truck in the town's Christmas parade. Well, today we are excited to announce our “Celebrating Our Fire Department Kids” theme for the Christmas parade in downtown Charleston on December 4, 2011. We are inviting all of our CFD kids to join us in the parade by riding on our float or one of our fire trucks. Our Firefighter Support Team is pleased to co-sponsor this event with the Charleston Firefighters' Local 61, the CFD Wives’ Club and the CFD Retirees’ Group. Stand by for details as we will be sending out more information as we draw closer to the holidays. Hopefully, we can create some of those fond memories for our fire department kids! Please make plans to join us for this fun time!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Loss of a Brother Firefighter...........


Chief Dennis Cauthen
We extend our most heartfelt sympathy to the members of the Elgin Fire Department and to the family of Chief Dennis Cauthen who passed away yesterday morning after becoming ill while fighting a fire in Lancaster.  

Visitation for Chief Cauthen will be held on Thursday evening, August 18, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Lancaster Funeral Home in Lancaster, South Carolina. Funeral services will be held Friday, August 19, 2011, at the St. Luke's Methodist Church in the Elgin communuity, beginning at 3:00 p.m.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

CFD Retirees' "Hooked Up" Meeting Coming Up!

All of our Charleston Fire Department retirees are invited to attend our quarterly "Hooked Up" meeting to be held on Thursday, September 15, 2011, beginning at 7:00 p.m, at the Charleston Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Dinner will be served with a special program to follow. Please come out and join us for a night of good fellowship and good food!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Work on "Never Forget" Camaro Progressing!

Repairs are well underway on the "Never Forget" Camaro. We have torn it down, assessed the damage, and ordered the parts. She will be back in full race and show trim soon!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Bessinger's Car Show Held Tonight!

Engine 11 Anchoring the Line of Classic Vehicles!

The Infamous Crew of Engine 116 C

Jeff Madden's 31 Ford Pickup Powered by a Cummins Diesel!

Engine 11's Newest Fan!
We attended the Bessinger's Car Show on Savannah Highway tonight with Engine 11. Thanks to Capt. Seabrook and his crew of CFD Engine 116 for taking care of getting Engine 11 to the show.  As usual we had a blast and we thank all of our friends who came out to support us!