Firefighters' Land & Sea Holiday (F.L.A.S.H.) Scheduled for Myrtle Beach

A vacation and golf package to benefit the families of the Charleston 9 and the Charleston Fire Department is set for November 12-16, 2008. This is going to become an annual event to benefit a firefighter cause. For more information, check out the following link:

http://www.njfmba.org/presidents_folder/flshgolf.pdf

Memories of the Past - Visions for the Future

Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Walter Smalls, a gentleman who was attending a reception for the seven finalists for our Chief’s position.  He appeared to have a great interest in the fire department and as he and I talked, he shared stories of the Charleston Fire Department many years ago.  As it turns out, his father had been a Charleston firefighter in the 1920s, assigned to the truck house, which was located on John Street in those days.   He was particularly interested to know if I had ever seen a photograph taken of the firefighters lined up in the front of the truck house back during that era.  I told him that I would do some research to see what I could find.  One call to my son at the fire museum produced the photograph above. 

I met with Mr. Smalls again to share the photo with him and he was able to name each of the firefighters in the picture and explained to me what each of them did to influence him.   He was a young boy back then and his father would take him to the truck house where he got to know the firefighters there.  As we all think back over our past, I’m sure we can remember people in the fire department that were important to us.  I am also sure that the John Street “truckies” were just as proud of being a Charleston firefighter as you are.  This department has endured much over the years with the loss of our nine firefighters last year being the most difficult.  Next week, all of you will embark on a new course to take this department into the future.  The arrival of Chief Carr will be the catalyst to make this department one of which we can be proud.  However, Chief Carr cannot do this alone.  His reputation precedes him as a true leader but I am sure he would, and will, tell you that each of you are a key to the success of this department. Each one of you has a lot to offer to the future of this department. Step up, guys and girls and show your stuff! Some day you may show up in an old photograph.  What would you want for someone to say about the influence you had on them?

Stay safe my friends.
Gerald

Happy Birthday, Michelle Jones and Ashley Brewington!

Chief Thomas Carr to be Sworn In on November 7th

Chief Thomas Carr will be officially sworn in as Fire Chief of the City of Charleston on Friday, November 7, 2008, The ceremony will be held on the front lawn of the Gaillard Auditorium beginning at 2:30 p.m. All firefighters and their families are cordially nvited to attend along with the general public. Please come out to welcome Chief Carr and his family to the Charleston Fire Department family.

CFD Retirees, Mark Your Calendars!

The next CFD Retirees' "Hooked Up" program meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, beginning at 7:00 p.m., at the Fire Museum in North Charleston. We will have a special holiday meal and entertainment for you to enjoy. More information will be sent to you by mail several weeks before the meeting. We hope to see all of you there!

Charleston 9 Memorial Highway to be Dedicated

The South Carolina Department of Transportation will formally dedicate a section of Savannah Highway the "Charleston 9 Memorial Highway" in a ceremony scheduled for Monday morning, November 3, 2008, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will be held in front of the Sofa Super Store site. All firefighters, families and the general public are invited to attend.

Happy Birthday, Sharon McClary!

And the Work Goes On ........!

Work is progressing on the "Raising Engine 11" project. Here are somes photos of our recent progress. The running boards and other diamond plate has been removed for blasting and powdercoating and we are just about ready to send the truck to the paint shop. The seats are almost ready and we need to change the tires and prep the pump for painting and then it will go to the body and paint shop. The Team is excited about putting it back together!

Book from the Movie " FireProof" is Now Available!

Many of you have seen the movie "Fireproof" and the book featured in the movie, "The Love Dare", is now available at
Wal Mart.

National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service

The Charleston Firefighter Support Team traveled to Emmittsburg, Maryland this past weekend to accompany the Charleston 9 families, as well as many of our firefighters and their families, to the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service at the National Fire Academy. The weekend was complete with activities for the Charleston 9 families to meet other survivors of fallen firefighters to share their thoughts and feelings and concluded with a most beautiful Sunday morning service to honor 110 of our nation’s bravest. We were truly honored and thankful to be there for this special event.

Happy Birthday, Noleka Davis!