Funeral Services Set for Engineer Sammy White

The wake for Engineer Sammy White, CFD Retired, will be held at the Palmetto Mortuary, 1122 Morrison Drive, in Charleston on the evening of Friday, June 4, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. His funeral will be on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at the Wesley Methodist Church, 446 Meeting Street in Charleston. Burial will follow at the Sunset Memorial Gardens on Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston.

Shakin' and Bakin' at Dorchester Dragway!!

We competed at Dorchester Dragway on Sunday with our Camaro and, after qualifying, we were knocked out in the first round. We were competing against some very fast cars and we knew it was going to be a tough afternoon. However, after a run of 5.21 seconds at 133 mph in the 1/8 mile, they knew we were there. We'll turn up the wick and go after it again next weekend.

Come On Out & Join Us!

Come join us on Wednesday, June 2, beginning at 6:00 p.m., for the Bessinger's Car Show at Bessinger's BBQ on the Charleston 9 Memorial Highway. We will be there with Engine 11, "Big Red", our Fire Chief's car, and of course, the "Never Forget" Camaro. You can enjoy good food, listen to a live band, and see tons of great cars and trucks on display!

Please Help Us Out!

The CFD Wives' Club will be hosting a food drive for The Salvation Army at the Charleston 9 Remembrance Picnic on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Brittlebank Park. If possible, please bring a non-perishable food item to donate. Hope to see everyone there!

Good Bye to a Friend......

It is especially difficult to share with you that Engineer Sammy White, CFD Retired, passed away today at his home in Charleston. Sammy joined the CFD in June, 1966 and served until July, 1991. He served the majority of his career in the truck house and was the driver of Truck 5 upon his retirement. I first became friends with Sammy in my twenties when he drove for Captain Phil Hawkins. He would take me under his wing when I visited Coming Street and he taught me a great deal about pride in the job and brotherhood among firefighters. Little did I know that many years later, when I would return to the fire service to work in the counseling unit, Sammy and I would renew our friendship in the CFD Retirees’ “Hooked Up” program. I last spoke to him at Engine 8’s 100th anniversary party two weeks ago. Sammy and I would laugh about the “old days” and I always called him the best “wheel man” I ever knew. Sammy could put Truck 5 in the most narrow of alleys and shortest of streets without hesitation. He was truly a “truckman” in every sense. Our most sincere condolences go out to Ms. Pearl and the entire family. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Engines 108 & 115 are in the House!!

The new Engines 108 and 115 were delivered today to the CFD. This has been a long-awaited day for the department and they represent the latest in firefighting technology. Hats off to the apparatus committee who worked long and hard to spec these trucks and thanks to Capt. Brian Kropp for these great photos!

Congratulations to the Newlyweds!!

We are always pleased to support our firefighters any time we can and on May 15, we were honored to have Engine 11 transport Firefighter Josh Graham and his new wife, Mandy during their wedding on Charleston's Battery. Josh is a firefighter in the North Charleston Fire Department and his mother, Ann, is the Chief of IOPFD. Congratulations to Josh and Mandy on their special day. Also thanks to CFST Peer Counselor Joe Johnston for being their "wheel man"!