Year in Review: How your Association worked for you in 2023

December 27, 2023

As we look back on 2023, we can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for all the South Carolina fire service has overcome and achieved. Our members have remained resilient and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible for the fire service. Here at the Association, we’ve welcomed hundreds of you to trainings and events over the last twelve months. We’ve shared in your grief, celebrated your accomplishments, and worked to improve our services and benefits for you and your family.

Let’s take a stroll down memory lane.

January

• January was Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. We shared resources from the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
• We launched a new online store with our partners at Emerald Ink and Stitches.
• We hosted the 2023 Fire Service Improvement Conference and trained with 155 firefighters from across the state.
• We promoted Community Risk Reduction Week.
• Jamie Helms announced his resignation as 2^nd Vice President. Chief Helms retired from Columbia and joined us at the Association at Deputy Director.

February

• For Black History Month, we interviewed Chief Mickey Folsom, Battalion Chief Colby Means, and Lt. Selena Smith Ruth.
• We honored 125 members and 358 loved ones at the Firefighter Memorial Service.
• The Cancer Coalition and State Fire filled 500 cancer decontamination buckets to give to South Carolina fire departments. Decon buckets have been distributed to all South Carolina fire departments.

March

• We interviewed Melissa Adams, Captain Terri Parker, and Sgt. Jennifer Thackston for Women’s History Month.
• Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer 23-01 graduated. David Bullard received the second annual David Lee Crenshaw Leadership Award.
• We hosted The Human Piece of the Puzzle – Humanistic Approaches to Fire Service Diversity Summit. This Summit was made possible because of the hard work of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

April

• We welcomed firefighters, state law makers, and their staffs at the 2023 Legislative Day. House of Representatives Speaker Murrell Smith and Senator Harvey Peeler were inducted into the Society of the Maltese Cross. Legislation discussed during the luncheon included: V-SAFE funding, Palmetto 800 funding, PTSD and the Workforce, Line of Duty Death benefits, Fire Drills in Schools, and Right of Way. The 2022-23 Leadership Institute class graduated at Legislative Day. 

May

• The Association assisted the Camden Fire Department and Cleveland School Fire 100^th Anniversary Committee with the commemoration ceremonies for the centennial anniversary of the Cleveland School tragedy.
• The Retirement Board of Trustees announced on May 30 that the Trustees voted unanimously to transition from Toledano and Associates Inc. and to contract with Milliman based on cost savings compared with services provided. If you have questions about the TPA transition, please contact Association Deputy Director Jamie Helms at [email protected] or 803-454-1800.
• We held the first-ever public episode of The Jive! The Jive is the Officers Section monthly video podcast hosted by Lady’s Island/St. Helena Assistant Chief Will Vaignuer and Columbia Fire Assistant Chief Chris Kip. The May episode featured Fire-Rescue speakers Amanda Moore and Sabrina Yaw. Amanda and Sabrina are both fire wives and spoke on family dynamics in the fire service during the courses.
• Irmo Fire District firefighter James “J” Michael Muller died in the line of duty during an apartment fire on May 26. J is a graduate of the 23-01 class of the Fire Officer Academy. The opening ceremonies for Fire-Rescue were dedicated to J, and his legacy continues to be felt.

June

• We welcomed 5,549 of our closest friends to Fire-Rescue 2023. The Foundation had its most successful Golf Tournament to date, raising thousands of dollars for South Carolina firefighters and their families. SCFIS hosted another energetic Beach Bash at Crocodile Rocks. We recognized several members during our awards ceremonies and bestowed Honorary Lifetime Membership to David Bullard and Mike Bozzo. Long-time Association chaplain Gary Rogers announced his retirement from the position at the end of conference. Dorchester County Deputy Chief Malcolm Burns was sworn in as the 77^th President of the Association and early in his tenure reestablished the Recruitment and Retention Committee to help address the staffing needs of South Carolina fire departments and to determine how we at the Association can fill the gaps.
• Applications for Leadership Institute opened.
• Applications for Fire-Rescue 2024 speakers opened.

July

• The Strategic Planning Committee released the Association’s strategic plan through 2028.
• We interviewed chiefs Tommy Livingston, John Jansen, and Eddie Rivers as part of our Historical Spotlight series.

August

• We published the updated Fire Chief’s Handbook in August. The document went through several rounds of meticulous revision and while it isn’t a step-for-step guide on how to run a fire department, the Fire Chief’s Handbook is an excellent starting point for new and seasoned chiefs.
• South Carolina First Responders Assistance and Support Team (SC FAST) announced three screenings of PTSD911, a documentary about first responders and the lingering issues from repeat trauma. The documentary was shown in North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, and Greenville.
• We interviewed Chief Tony Dicks ahead of his retirement from Barnwell Fire Department.

September

• The Health & Safety Committee announced its bingo card in an effort to promote the importance of having a vested interest in your long-term health. Complete, submitted bingo cards were entered to win a prize giveaway. The Committee plans to play another round of bingo in the first half of 2024.
• Retired North Charleston Deputy Chief Stephanie Julazadeh has Parkinson’s disease, and she graciously shared her journey with us. Recent research indicates that Parkinson’s disease should be added to the list of potential health risks associated with firefighting. A 2021 survey ultimately concluded that firefighters have an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease symptoms because of the toxin exposures that are frequently found in fires.
• The class scheduled for 2024 Fire Service Improvement Conference was announced and registration opened in September. Truck School and Hand in Hand Engine filled in record time.

October

• At Quarterly, we welcomed Dr. Candice McDonald, Deputy CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council; Rebecca Harned, data advisor for the U.S. Fire Administration and Chief Programs Officer for the International Association of Fire Chiefs; and Chief Tom Jenkins, senior advisor/research manager for the NERIS project. Dr. McDonald is an expert in recruitment and retention, and Rebecca and Chief Jenkins provided some detail on the upcoming switch from NFRIS to NERIS.
• Fire Officer Academy: The Company Officer 23-02 graduated, and applications opened for FOA 24-01. The David Lee Crenshaw Leadership Award was bestowed posthumously to J Muller, FOA 23-01 alumni. Additionally, the FOA 23-02 class established the James Michael Muller “J” Award for Excellence, which was given to Summerville Fire Chief of Training Chris Tennyson. Jonah Smith and his cadre at Hornet Fire Training donated a guidon holder to the program in memory of J.
• We welcomed Kim Voisine to the Association family as Administrative Assistant. Kim comes to South Carolina from Maine, where she was a volunteer firefighter.
• The Chaplain Search Committee officially announced the Chaplain vacancy and is accepting applications.
• Department invoices were mailed.

November

• We announced the hiring of Kim Bowman as One Percent Retirement Coordinator. Prior to joining Association staff in early 2024, Kim worked for over a decade at Toledano and Associates Inc. where she assisted with managing the One Percent Retirement accounts. She brings with her years of familiarity with 1% funds and, most importantly, you—our membership. We’re excited to officially welcome her in the new year.
• We kicked off our awards campaign in November. As firefighters, you don't just have a job – you have a calling. We often hear the phrase "I was just doing my job," but we recognize that your work is far from ordinary. We’ve shared dozens of department award posts on social media to share in your celebrations; as you give out department awards, consider submitting your members for an Association award.

December

• Registration opened for the South Carolina Firefighters Foundation Golf Tournament, June 12, 2024 at Legends Golf Resort – Moorland Course. We had a pack tournament last year and anticipate another excellent turn out; register your team early!
• Blake Cartee, Michael Dozier, Micah Rains, and Jonah Smith were announced as our panelists for the Fire Service Improvement Conference Friday evening roundtable discussion on today’s fire service. Each are teaching a class at FSIC and while they bring their own unique flares, they each share one thing in common: passion for the job.
• The Recruitment and Retention Committee announced the FLSA Bootcamp for Volunteer and Combination Fire Departments with speaker Curt Varone. This February 23 training is specifically beneficial for fire department management, human resources, legal teams, or anyone that deals with compensation, benefits, and expenses, for your department.
• We announced the Line of Duty Death Preparedness Series, January 24-26. The free 3-day training includes Taking Care of Our Own, Local Assistant State Team (LAST) Training, and Leadership So Everyone Goes Home. These National Fallen Firefighters Foundation classes help prepare departments for the unthinkable, a circumstance few trades must consider. The fire service has come a long way when it comes to health and safety, but this is still an inherently dangerous job.

We hosted ten 1% Regional Trainings throughout 2023 and had a total of 337 attendees. We visited open houses, delivered decon buckets, attended retirement celebrations, push-in ceremonies, chiefs meetings, and regional meetings. We fellowshipped with you, shared in your sorrows, and celebrated with you in your accomplishments. We trained with you, broke bread with you, and watched as you changed the South Carolina fire service.

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Blessings and best wishes for 2024.