From www.charleston.net

Colleton looks at fire funds 
Monday, July 24, 2000
By LINDA L. MEGGETT
Of The Post and Courier staff 
      WALTERBORO - Colleton County is attempting to modernize a fire protection system that operates primarily with volunteers, an aging fleet of trucks and substandard equipment.
     The county's fleet of 80 vehicles includes three, 40-year old trucks; 10, 30 year-old trucks; 19, 20-year-old trucks and seven, 15-year old trucks.
     "The county's only reserve truck is a 1957 pumper given to us from a municipal department," said Fire-Rescue Coordinator Barry McRoy. Those older trucks weren't designed to do what's needed today, McRoy said. They have small water tanks, the bodies are rusted, and they are not dependable, he said.
     More than half of the county's 260 firefighters don't have proper "turnout" gear - clothing worn during fires, McRoy said.
     "These people have trained and are willing to give time to fight fires. Now their option is to not go in or wear street clothes. A lot of firemen are wearing stuff that has been donated surplus stuff. That means other departments no longer needed them." 
     Many county residents, like Renea Padgett whose mobile home was gutted by fire last October, are in "dead zones," or areas that are five miles or more away from a fire station.
     Padgett's fire on Chestnut Road broke out early in the morning, when no one was at the closest station, a little more than five miles away. Firefighters had to be paged by 911 emergency operators, and although they arrived fairly quickly, they needed some help, Padgett said.
     "Most of these guys are volunteers, and they do a good job. (But) they need to pay them or something. I don't think they have sufficient equipment," Padgett said. "We are so far behind Charleston."
     County Council has expressed an interest in improving Colleton's fire service by bringing the majority of its 34,000 residents within five miles of a station.
     That means building more fire stations.
     Council is considering issuing a bond that would be paid off in 20 to 30 years to raise $8 million. It could be on the agenda for discussion at council's August meeting.
     The bond money would allow the county to build 15 new fire stations, strategically located. It would pay for new fire-fighting equipment and trucks.
     The bond would also cause the fire tax to more than double. Council already increased the fire tax rate by 23 percent this month, from $68 to $84 annually on a $100,000 home, to pay for other needs.
     County Council Chairman Steve Murdaugh said he hopes county residents will see that the plan is essential.
     "We're not building fire stations to save money, we're doing it to save lives and property," he said.
     The Fire-Rescue Control Board, an advisory committee, will meet Monday to decide whether it will recommend that council move forward with the bond issue plan.
     "I think everyone generally thinks it's a good plan. There is some concern about the taxes,' said Michael Turner, control board chairman.
     "I deserve the best equipment money can buy," said Canady volunteer fireman Chuck Moyer, whose son and son-in-law are firefighters.
     Although the proposed plan would provide most county residents with fire protection and an opportunity to buy new or lower insurance, a few areas would remain outside the five-mile coverage area, McRoy said.
     "With this plan we're not going to replace everything," he said. "That's not the purpose."
     If County Council approves the bond issue, most vehicles 30 years old and older would be retired during the next two years. Many of the other units would be shifted to areas with a lower call volume.
     The 15 new fire stations would be built in remote areas of the county and house only trucks and equipment. Eleven of them would be two-bay structures with a side entry door, lights and a heater. No office, restroom facilities or telephones would be provided, McRoy said. Four stations would have three bays with office space and restrooms.
     The plan would also allow fire-rescue to build a test burn building, a drafting pit for testing pumpers and other props to allow firefighters to train with live fires without having to travel to Columbia or other fire departments.
     The department would also replace 60 air packs. The existing ones were donated, McRoy said.
     "It's stuff we're not supposed to be using because it's outdated," he said.