CFD Retirees "Hooked Up" Meeting Held Tonight

Our Team finished up a busy day by hosting the CFD Retirees' "Hooked Up" meeting tonight at the Charleston Baptist Church. A & M Brown's Bar-B-Que of Moncks Corner provided a delicious meal enjoyed by all. Battalion Chief Randy Carter of the CFD Training Division presented an interesting and informative program on the Training Division and the Recruit Training Program and brought the retirees up-to-date on the department's progress. All attendees were invited to the next recruit graduation being held on April 15 and the CFD Picnic on June 5. The program was concluded with a drawing and each of the retirees won a door prize provided by local merchants.  

Mike Brown Working His Magic!

Guests Enjoying the Meal

Chief Carter Presenting His Program

Special thanks to Mike Brown of A & M Brown's, Chief Randy Carter, Ted and Nancy Jones, and the folks at Charleston Baptist Church for making this a successful night.

CFD Battalion Chief Phil Hawkins Retires

After a great morning at the St. Patrick’s Day parade, I was honored to have lunch with CFD Battalion Chief Phillip Hawkins and friends as we marked “Big Daddy’s” retirement from the department.  Much can be said for Phil and I just wanted to take a minute to share my personal feelings about this good man. He and I met many years ago when we were both very young and quite ambitious about our fire service careers. We've faced much together over the years, the heartbreak of losing loved ones and many of our friends, and happier times such as raising our children and the birth of our grandchildren. We have fought many, many  fires, both literally and figuratively, celebrated promotions and accomplishments, made a bunch of mistakes, and enjoyed our triumphs. But most importantly, through all of these years, we have remained friends and brothers.  I have never been more proud to call someone my brother and I can only hope that all of you experience true brotherhood or sisterhood during your lives.  It is not something that just happens;  it must be developed and earned.  You must pay it forward in order to reap its’ benefits and it cannot be traded or sold. To my brother, Phil, I wish you the very best in your retirement and will continue to look forward to our weekly meetings. Take care of yourself and enjoy your new grandson. We have reached a new time in our lives and I expect we will do well.

Gerald

St. Patrick's Day in Charleston!

We participated in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade today in downtown Charleston. The weather was wonderful and the crowd was excited as Engine 11 and "Big Red'  drove by. Charlie, the Riverdog mascot, rode Engine 11 and was a big hit with the crowd. What a great time of year to be in Charleston! Special thanks to CFD Retiree Winston Lesesne for handling the wheel on Engine 11.

Marching to a Different Drummer!

This morning our roving photographer caught up with the CFD recruits as they marched from the Training Center down to Station 9 for RIT training. Stay safe out there brothers as we await your graduation and joining the ranks of Charleston Bravest!

CFD Hockey Team to take on Boston FD Team!!

On Saturday, March 12th (C-Shift), the CFD Hockey Team will take on the Boston Fire Department's Hockey Team at the Carolina Ice Palace, located at 7665 Northwoods Blvd., in North Charleston (next to Northwoods Mall), the puck drops at 6:00 p.m. The CFD is coming off of a thrilling last minute win over FDNY's "A-Squad" and is looking to ride the momentum from that game into this upcoming match with Boston's Bravest. It should prove to be another exciting game, so come out and support our brothers as they look to take down our brothers from "Beantown".

Prior to the game, there will also be an All-You-Can-Eat Pre-Game Party at O'Malley's Bar & Grille at 549 King Street, in Downtown, Charleston from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tickets to the party are available for $15 and Local 61 has made arrangements for buses to provide FREE transportation from O'Malley's to the hockey game and back.

Please contact Local 61 President T.J. Brennan for ticket sales and more information at tbrennan@local61.com.

Proceeds raised from the event will go to the Charleston Firefighter Benevolence Fund, with a portion of the proceeds also going to help fund the CFD Hockey Team. For information on tickets to the game, please contact Dave Fleming, at dfleming@local61.com. Tickets to the game will also be available at the Carolina Ice Palace on game day.

The "Never Forget" Camaro and "Spitfire" Win Today!

The "Never Forget" Camaro and "Spitfire", our Team motorcycle,  both took top trophies today in the Southern Drag Racing Association's "Camp Happy Days" Car Show in North Charleston.  Our hot rod won "Best Paint for a Pro Drag Car" and "Spitfire" won 1st Place in the Motorcycle Cruiser Class. Special thanks go out to all of our friends, Earl, Sarah, Phil, Brian, Shannon and Justin from the St. Andrews Fire Department, Laura from the Awendaw Fire District, Paulette from the St. Paul's Fire Department, Jason, Leigh, and all the family members for their help in making this a special day!

Hats Off to Our NCFD and CCEMS Brothers and Sisters!

North Charleston firefighters and CCEMS personnel responded to the White Oak Manor today to find fire and heavy smoke conditions.  Our hats are off to them for their heroic actions in evacuating all 171 residents without any serious injuries.  Great job to all of them!!