YORK & LANCASTER COUNTIES — Several fire departments in York and Lancaster counties have earned the prestigious 2024 Fire Safe South Carolina (FSSC) Community Designation, recognizing their commitment to public safety and fire prevention education.
The honored departments include:
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Bethel Fire Department
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Flint Hill Fire Rescue
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Fort Mill Fire Department
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Riverview Volunteer Fire Department
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Rock Hill Fire Department
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Tega Cay Fire Department
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York County Fire
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York Fire Department
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Lancaster City Fire Department
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Lancaster County Fire Rescue
These departments are among 207 across South Carolina that have received the designation for their proactive efforts to reduce fire-related injuries and fatalities through education, data-driven response strategies, and community partnerships.
The 2024 class represents a nearly 35% increase from the previous year, underscoring growing interest and commitment statewide in community risk reduction. “The enthusiasm for obtaining this designation continues to grow,” said Josh Fulbright, Community Risk Reduction Chief. “Many departments have received this recognition for the first time, some seek it again with new purpose, and others receiving since the 2017 inception continue to build depth within their organization.”
To earn the designation, departments complete specialized training, track and report data related to emergency incidents, and engage in targeted public education programs to address fire and life safety risks in their communities.
The impact of these initiatives is significant. In the past year:
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Over 1.1 million South Carolinians were reached with fire safety education—a 70% increase from 2023.
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Nearly 1,284 fire service members received training in risk reduction—almost triple the number trained the previous year.
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279 community partnerships were formed—an 11% increase over 2023.
“These departments and their community partners have worked tirelessly to make a difference,” Fulbright said. “More than one million citizens were educated on ways to stay ‘Fire Safe,’ and we’re not stopping here.”
The departments will be formally recognized during an awards ceremony at the 2025 Fire-Rescue Conference on June 13 in Myrtle Beach, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Fire Safe South Carolina launched in 2017 and is supported by a coalition of public safety organizations, including the S.C. Office of State Fire Marshal, the S.C. State Firefighters’ Association, and the S.C. State Association of Fire Chiefs.
To view the full list of 2024 designated fire departments by county, visit www.firesafesc.org.
