Fire
Mailing Address
P.O. Drawer 508
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Phone:
(843) 886-5443
Emergencies:
911
Fire Chief
Ann M. Graham
(843) 886-4410
Training Officer
Bob Maibach
Incident Reports
Links
As of 2007, the Isle of Palms Fire Department consists of thirty full-time positions including 1 Fire Chief, 1 Training Officer, 3 Captains, 3 Lieutenants, 12 Engineers, 9 Firefighters, three part-time positions and up to fifteen volunteers. Equipment currently consists of (1) 2003 E-1 95' Platform, (1) 2003 E-1 75' Aerial, (1) 2003, E-1 Rescue Pumper, (1) 1991, E-1 Pumper, (1) 1999 Rescue One Ladder Service Vehicle, (4) boats, (2) Yamaha Jet Skis, (3) ATVs, and (3) 4x4 pickup trucks.
The City of Isle of Palms is 3.5 square miles and surrounded by water. Year-round population is approximately 5,000 with an influx of day visitors and vacationers reaching upwards of 50,000 during the peak season. The City is a great place to raise a family and is also considered a retirement destination. The island has a diverse makeup of residents and visitors ranging from an average working class family, movie stars, famous race car drivers and famous politicians, including the President of the United States, to name a few. Single family residences on the Isle of Palms range from less than 1,000 square feet (pre-Hugo) to in excess of 8,600 square feet. In addition, there are many multi-level condos throughout the island.
To protect this diverse population, property and landscape, all members of the Isle of Palms Fire Department must be able to multi-task and adapt quickly to any given situation. All personnel receive specialized training. Many larger cities may have specialized teams to achieve the same goals the Isle of Palms crew on duty must accomplish. Off-duty personnel, volunteers, and mutual aid are requested if additional manpower or equipment is needed. The peak season routinely begins on Good Friday and ends on Labor Day.
The department responds to all types of emergencies including, but not limited to, the following: structure fires, brush fires, car fires, boat fires and other marine emergencies, hazmat calls, vehicle accidents, medical calls, and searches for missing people, animal rescues, water rescues in the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway and surrounding bodies of water. The department often responds to two neighboring unincorporated islands, (Goat Island and Dewees Island). The department's average response time is less than three minutes. The department conducts fire inspections, fire prevention activities; inspection and installation of smoke detectors free of charge, and is very active in community service and public relations. The department has an active Honor Guard. The department gives and receives mutual aid throughout Charleston County. Teams of personnel from the Isle of Palms Fire Department have responded to provide relief to several areas devastated by hurricanes and floods.
In 2006, Eric Stinnett, a full-time engineer received recognition in Firehouse Magazine, the Medal of Honor by the South Carolina Firefighter's Association and a "Signal 30" award presented by the City of Isle of Palms. This recognition was given because, while off duty, Eric pulled a man from an eighteen wheeler that was on fire due to a roll over just moments before it's tanker filled with fuel oil exploded.
The City of Isle of Palms has recently replaced Fire Station 2 and is in the process of replacing Fire Station 1. Personnel and equipment are once again being housed temporarily in modular units and tents during construction.