After three years as Bamberg County Fire Coordinator Brenna Hancock says that earning the trust of the Firefighters has been crucial. “After gaining everybody’s trust and proving that I can do the job, we’re ready to move forward,” Hancock said.

And move forward, the nine fire departments that make up the Bamberg County fire service have. Over the last three years the number of volunteer firefighters has increased from 126 to 172. The departments have seen a 20 percent increase in the number of females. “We’re always looking for volunteers,” Hancock said. There were tax incentives of up to $3,000 on state income taxes for firefighters if they respond to a certain amount of calls, attend meetings and training sessions.

Another program started last year in the county fire service and will be done again this year that has proven beneficial is a physical fitness evaluation of firefighters required by Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA) and the (NFPA). Surprisingly, the number one killer of firefighters is not accidents, but heart attacks. Last year out of 83 firefighters evaluated 12 needed further evaluations, possibly saving some lives Hancock said.

2008 was a busy year for fire departments in the county. Last year fire departments answered 375 calls in rural areas and 166 calls in the towns. Another area that has seen improvement over the last three years is the number of grants that county fire departments have received.

Hancock doubles as Fire Coordinator/Chief Grant Writer. “The departments now come to me to write their grants,” she said.

A few of the grants received by county fire departments the last two years are; The Olar Fire Department received a $209,000 grant for a new fire station, the Colston Fire Department was awarded a $21,000 grant for protection gear, the Denmark Fire Department received $185,000 fire tanker, the Bamberg Fire Department bought a new service truck, Clear pond was delivered a truck from a $204,000 grant in June of 2008 that was written in 2007. All together, seven of the nine fire departments in the county have a new or newer fire truck by way of grants or purchase.

The following departments Bamberg (city), Hunters Chapel and Colston received Forestry Grants. Through Forestry Grants, departments can receive reimbursement of up to 50 percent for certain items they buy during the year from January to December through the forestry department.

The state of South Carolina developed a program of V-Safe Grants and the county was able to get its first at the start of 2008. The county fire departments have since received five grants totaling $150,000 or $30,000 each for the following fire departments; Hunter’s Chapel, Little Swamp, Bamberg, Ehrhardt and Clear pond. Through the V-Safe program 49 firefighters were able to receive new gear. Along with saving lives and property and obtaining new equipment through grants, Hancock said the departments “do what they do” for ISO Rating purposes. “These ISO ratings determine insurance premiums that home owners pay.” It is close to time for the departments to be rated (ISO) again.