Legislative Day 2023 a success

April 10, 2023

Firefighters from around the state met last week at the State House to speak to their legislators and unify the fire service voice with concentration on several legislative actions that effect the fire service as part of the annual South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association Legislative Day.

South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association President Josh Holzheimer welcomed firefighters, legislators and staff to a focused event to draw attention to safety and protection needs of fire service personnel, both volunteer and career, during the annual meeting. Firefighters met with both House and Senate members and offered directed thoughts on several bills and their thanks for supporting the fire service back home and throughout South Carolina.

Topics included several pieces of legislation that are being followed by South Carolina firefighters. They include: V-SAFE funding, Palmetto 800 funding, PTSD and the Workforce, Line of Duty Death benefits, Fire Drills in Schools, and Right of Way.

During the luncheon, House of Representatives Speaker Murrell Smith and Senator Harvey Peeler were inducted into the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association’s Society of the Maltese Cross. The Society of the Maltese Cross honors General Assembly members that have, throughout their legislative career, contributed and participated with firefighters in pursuit of public safety.

“Speaker Smith and Senator Peeler’s service to their districts and to South Carolina shows a long-standing tradition and their commitment to helping the state’s fire service in Columbia is proven each year,” offered Pres. Holzheimer.

The Association's Executive Committee and staff want to extend an enormous thank you the legislators and their staffs who took the time out of their schedules to eat and fellowship. In addition, Legislative Day would be impossible without firefighters from all over the state making the trip to Columbia to participate. Your steadfastness in creating and maintaining relationships with your legislators is admirable and we commend you for your efforts.