Just a Few Thoughts..........................

Last year at this time we shared some of the following thoughts with you learned from many good people over the years. Hope you find them helpful as we approach the New Year:

It is not necessarily important what you bring to the table, but instead, what you leave behind.

We cannot always control the events or happenings in our lives, but we can control how we react to them. Never lose sight of that thought!

If you are troubled about something, put it aside until the next day if possible, as a good night’s sleep will normally improve your outlook.

Regardless of your rank or number of years on the job, reach out to others around you and share your experience and training. Each of you has something to offer.

The CFD has a great number of new folks that are working to find their places in the organization. Be a mentor and offer them your support and constructive criticism. Remember, we were all new at this once in our lives. Think about your personal experiences then and who affected your life in a positive way.

We all believe, or believed, in our careers, that we did it better than anyone else, but in reality, you guys and girls are doing it much better, and much safer than we did, and the ones who come after you will hopefully be safer and more prepared because of your contributions.

Be kind with your criticism as it may be your turn in the saddle tomorrow.

Hope all of you have a safe and Happy New Year’s Eve. We are looking forward to continuing our work with you in 2011!

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.   

'Tis the Season!!

We had a blast today with the MUSC employees and the Salvation Army folks in the Debi's Kids Christmas parade on the MUSC campus.  The parade started on Erhardt Street and finished on the horseshoe in front of MUSC.  The employees donated a ton of toys that will surely brighten Christmas morning for a lot of children.  

Charleston County Recruit School Graduation Held Tonight!

Tonight we attended the graduation of the latest Charleston County Firefighter Recruit Class at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Congratulations to the twenty-four men and women who completed their training and are joining the ranks of their departments in the Tricounty area. We enjoyed spending time with them, meeting their families, and seeing many old friends as well. 

We wish them a safe and successful career in the greatest profession of all!

The Passing of a Brother..................

With sadness, we announce the death of Lancaster County (SC) Fire Services Charlotte Road/Van Wyck Fire Department Lieutenant Dillon C. Denton at age 64. Lt. Denton was participating in fire hose loading activities last evening when he informed other members that he wasn’t feeling well. Shortly thereafter, his condition worsened. He was airlifted to Carolina Medical Center where he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. He passed away at approximately 1:30 a.m. this morning. Funeral arrangements are forthcoming.

Christmas in Charleston!

We continued our start to the Christmas season today as we participated in the Annual Charleston Christmas parade. What a way to cap off a great weekend!  The air was chilly, the streets were full of folks having a good time, and we were excited to be there!  

I Still Believe..............................

Today, I had the pleasure of participating in the “Photos with Santa on a Fire Engine” event for the Carolina Children’s Charity sponsored by our friends at the St. Andrews Fire Department.  As I watched Santa work his magic, I was reminded of how important it is to believe in something or someone.  As a child, I knew Santa existed because the cookies and milk I left out for him were always gone on Christmas morning.  Today, he didn’t let us down. As child after child made their way into his lap for a photo, I could hear each of them telling him what they wanted for Christmas. He patiently listened and assured each of them that he would do his best to fulfill their wishes and they left believing that Christmas morning was going to be special.  Thanks Santa, for making our day and, don’t forget to stop by this year. I’ll leave some cookies and milk out for you.

Remembering the Worcester 6

Today, we remember the Worcester 6, Firefighter Paul Brotherton, Lieutenant Jeremiah Lucey, Lieutenant Thomas Spencer, Firefighter Timothy Jackson, Firefighter James Lyons and Firefighter Joseph McGuirk, our brothers who gave their lives in the line of duty in the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire eleven years ago.  Our thoughts out to their families and to the men and women of the Worcester Fire Department.

"Fire Engines for Families" Benefit This Saturday!

The Charleston Fire Department will be taking on the Z93 Jammers (from WWWZ-FM 93.3, Charleston's #1 R&B and Hip-Hop Radio Station) in a charity basketball game held on December 4th at 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the new Arthur Christopher City Gymnasium located on Fishburne Street in Harmon Field near The Citadel. Admission for the game is $5, with all proceeds going to "Fire Engines for Families".

"Fire Engines for Families" is a new program where Charleston City Firefighters purchase Christmas gifts for local families, who are down on their luck, and deliver the presents to the families on board CFD fire trucks.  Come out and have some fun supporting the CFD basketball team and this great cause.

For more information please contact Demeail Seabrook at 843-270-2311 or Kevin Weeks at 843-406-3858.