Fifty Years of Service!

This month we have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of Engine 11 being placed in service in the Charleston Fire Department. While she no longer responds to fires, (even though she could), she continues to serve our Team, our department, and the community on a regular basis, Take a few minutes and watch this tribute video documenting the restoration process and the continuation of service of Engine 11.  Special thanks to my daughter Leigh for her work in putting this together.

Click on the caption above for the video.

Remembering Chief O.G. Marjenhoff

Today, we pay tribute to and remember Chief O.G. Marjenhoff who collapsed and died in the line of duty on December 27, 1906 while operating at a fire at 97 East Bay Street. Chief Marjenhoff served as the Chief of the CFD from 1894 until the time of his death and was the second Chief of the Charleston Fire Department following its' organization as a paid department in 1882.  He also purchased the first motorized vehicle for the CFD, a Chief's car in 1905.  

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Guthke!

Today, Mrs. Delora Guthke, the former first lady of the Charleston Fire Department celebrated her 90th birthday.  Mrs. Guthke, the widow of Charleston's former Chief Wilmot E. Guthke, has been involved in, and a supporter of, the Charleston Fire Department for much of her adult life and continues to be active member of our CFD Retirees' program. She is truly a gracious Southern lady whom we all love greatly.  Happy Birthday, Ms. Delora! We hope you had a great birthday!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!



Gerald, Chris, Richie, Amanda and Sarah



Our Team hopes that all of you will have a safe and Merry Christmas! Please remember all of those less fortunate than ourselves and keep all of our troops in your thoughts and prayers that they too will have a safe and joyous holiday!

Two Chicago Firefighters Perish Today

Our sincere sympathy is extended to our Chicago Fire Department brothers and sisters in the loss of two of their own today.

CFD Firefighters Edward Stringer and Corey Ankum died in the collapse of an abandoned building. Fifteen others were injured when the building collapsed, possibly from the weight of snow and ice.  The fire had originated in another part of the building and the firefighters were searching for the possibility of homeless people trapped while seeking shelter from the snow and cold. According to Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff, the other injured firefighters were expected to recover.

Ironically, today marked the 100th anniversary of the Chicago Union Stockyards fire that killed twenty-one  firefighters.

The Passing of Two Good Men...............

Our most heartfelt thoughts go out to the families of Summerville Asst. Chief Jim Lord and St. Andrews Capt. Buddy Maupin in their time of sorrow. I had the honor of knowing and working with both of these men. Chief Lord was well-known in the Fire Service of the Lowcountry and was instrumental in promoting fire safety and prevention. Buddy and I worked together for many years at St. Andrews starting back when my son, Grant and his daughter, Michelle, were just babies.  Rest in peace, my friends.

CFD Retirees Visited by Santa!

Santa Working the Crowd!

Thanks to Sherri, Cheryl, Marci-Jo & Leigh for serving the food!

Ms. Dot Hutchinson, far left, and Ms. Delora Guthke in red.

This past Thursday night, the CFD Retirees met for their Christmas meeting and dinner at the Pinecrest Baptist Church.  They enjoyed a fine meal provided by Olive Garden Restaurant and were surprised by Santa Claus himself as he stop by to thank them for collecting a truckload of toys for Debi's Kids. Debi Chard of Channel 5 and Kiki Cooper of the Salvation Army were also there to thank the retirees for their contributions to the children.