Charleston Fire Department

This week is the National Weather Service Safety Week! Today we want to talk about tornado preparation , and what to do during a tornado! ??? Acting quickly is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts. 1. Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.?? 2. At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows.?? 3. At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.?? 4. Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Neither is a mobile home or tent. If you have time, get to a safe building.?? 6. In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine. ??

**Accepting Applications! ??** Are you ready to make a difference and take on a fulfilling career serving your community? The Charleston Fire Department is excited to announce that applications are now open for our upcoming recruit school! Join a team dedicated to courage, excellence, and public service while impacting lives in meaningful ways. Our recruit school offers exceptional training to prepare you for the challenges of firefighting and emergency response. If you’re motivated, hardworking, and eager for a life-changing opportunity, we encourage you to apply today! Don’t miss your chance—spots are limited! Learn more and apply now at [https://lnkd.in/eujACZp3).

Charleston, are you ready for the statewide tornado drill this Wednesday at 9:00 AM? ??? Stay informed and prepared by participating in this important safety drill. ?? Mark your calendar and make it part of your morning plan!

Have you checked your smoke alarm recently? ?? A working smoke alarm is a critical component of home safety, providing early warning in case of a fire. The Charleston Fire Department is here to help! If you're unsure about the condition of your smoke alarm or need assistance installing an updated one, their team is ready to assist. They can check your alarms to ensure they're in proper working order or install new ones to keep your home and family safe. ?? Don't wait—reach out to the Charleston Fire Department today and take this simple step toward fire prevention and safety.

Battalion 103 B Shift conducted a battalion-based drill at the training tower, bringing together multiple companies for a hands-on exercise. The crews ran two scenarios, simulating both a residential and a commercial structure fire, allowing firefighters to refine their tactics and coordination in realistic conditions. Participating in the drill were DV101, BC103, E102, E103, E106, E108, E109, L104, and R115, all working together to strengthen operational readiness and teamwork. ?? ?? These drills are essential in maintaining peak performance and ensuring efficient emergency response. Attached are some photos capturing the action and dedication of the crews during the training. ?? #Charlestonfire #Charlestonfiredepartment #aSaferCharleston

?? Congratulations, Battalion Chief TJ Axson! ?? We’re excited to announce that Battalion Chief TJ Axson, currently assigned to Battalion 105 on B Shift, will be transitioning to the role of Battalion Chief of Technical Services! Chief Axson’s leadership and dedication to the department make him a great fit for this new assignment, and we look forward to seeing his impact in this critical role. Congratulations, Chief Axson! ?? #Congratulations #Leadership #BattalionChiefAxson #CharlestonFireDepartment #FireService

Please join us in congratulating Assistant Chief of Operations, James Richardson, on receiving the Rotary Club of Charleston Community Impact Award! ??? This award, chosen by a vote after nominations from Senior Staff, recognizes those who go above and beyond in service to our community. Whether responding to structure fires in the middle of the night, assisting with smoke alarm events on weekends, answering calls at all hours, organizing parades, or staffing the MEOC during storms, Chief James leads by example. He truly embodies our mission of Excellent People Providing Exceptional Service to Create a Safer Charleston. Be sure to congratulate him when you see him—well deserved, Chief James! ??

**?? Applications Are Open!** Are you ready to make a difference and pursue a rewarding career serving your community? The Charleston Fire Department is thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for our upcoming recruit school! Join a team dedicated to bravery, excellence, and public service, making a meaningful impact every day. Our recruit school provides top-tier training to prepare you for the demands of firefighting and emergency response. If you’re driven, hardworking, and ready to embrace this life-changing opportunity, we want to hear from you! Don’t wait—spots are limited! Learn more and apply today at [https://lnkd.in/eujACZp3).

Congratulations to Captain Kenneweg! ?? We are honored to have you apart of the Charleston Fire Department and look forward to you advancing the department with your skills and leadership!

Early Morning Apartment Fire Displaces West Ashley Residents Charleston, SC (February 15, 2025): The Charleston Consolidated Emergency Communications Center received reports of an apartment fire on Royal Palm Blvd. shortly after 4:30 AM. Charleston, Saint Andrews, and North Charleston Fire Departments, Charleston EMS, and Charleston PD responded to the scene. Charleston Police Officers arrived within three minutes and reported smoke from the building and immediately started evacuating residents. Firefighters arrived within five minutes of dispatch and reported smoke and flames venting from the second floor of a multi-building, two-story apartment. A second alarm was requested, sending an additional five engines, two towers, one rescue, and three chief officers to the scene. Firefighters proceeded to evacuate tenants and search the apartments, verifying all the occupants had safely escaped the building. As crews worked to extinguish the blaze, the fire progressed into the attic space and quickly created an unsafe situation and the firefighters were evacuated, transitioning to a defensive attack. The fire progress into the adjacent building and was stopped, and after the majority of the fire was contained, crews were able to re-enter the building to finish extinguishment. Members from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene to provide drone support for the suppression operation, initiate the investigation, and assist with accountability of the residents. Occupants of one unit initially noted a smoke odor and started to investigate, while another unit reported the activation of their smoke alarm, prompting their evacuation. Investigators determined the fire originated within a patio closet on the first floor that contained a HVAC system. The fire progressed into the second floor and then the attic, fire separation in the attic between building 106 and 104 prevented additional fire progression, limiting the damage in building 104 to minor water and a smoke odor. All eight units within building 106 sustained smoke, fire, and/or water damage. Three units within building 104 sustained smoke or water damage. A total of eleven units were impacted, displacing 23 residents. The American Red Cross responded to provide assistance. No injuries were reported. The Charleston Fire Department would like to thank all of our are partners who responded to help ensure a safe outcome: North Charleston Fire Department, Saint Andrews Fire Department, Charleston County EMS, Charleston PD, Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Charleston County Emergency Management. Residents are encouraged to share any photos or videos of the incident with the fire department. Please send any media to [email protected]. Media contact: Michael Julazadeh, Deputy Chief | Fire Marshal [email protected]