Fire Department

History

The City of Simpsonville Fire Department was created in 1922 in order to provide fire protection for the citizens of the City of Simpsonville and the surrounding area. Until the mid 1980's, fire protection was provided to the citizens of the City of Simpsonville and county homeowners through an annual contract fee, a practice done away with when a system of taxation was put in place.  Currently, the City of Simpsonville Fire Department provides fire suppression, medical first response, hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, high angle rescue, swift water rescue, auto extrication, and service oriented response. Simpsonville Fire Department was one of the first DHEC licensed First Response agencies in Greenville County, providing medical first response at the EMT level since August 2004.

The District

The City of Simpsonville Fire Department provides services within the City limits of Simpsonville as well as a portion of Greenville County that surrounds the City.  The Fire District is comprised of approximately 30 square miles (8 City and 22 County) and has an estimated population of 55,000 permanent residents.  Located within the District are 7 schools, 164+ subdivisions, 916+ businesses, 16 apartment/townhouse complexes, 9 Hotels/Motels,  and 40+ places of worship.   The Department is a signatory to the State and County mutual aid agreements, and has provided manpower and equipment throughout the state during natural disasters and large fires.

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) system is regarded by fire chiefs and insurance agents as the leading indicator of a community’s fire capabilities and risks.  The ratings go from 1 to 10 with 10 meaning no fire protection.  Generally speaking, the lower the number the lower the cost of insurance with rate reductions being determined by individual insurance companies.  The current ISO rating for the City of Simpsonville Fire Department is 2.

The Department is a signatory to the State and County mutual aid agreements.  When needed, Simpsonville Fire Department provides resources, including personnel and equipment, to surrounding departments and vice versa.  Over the last several years the department sent crews to the coast for hurricanes, Columbia for flooding, and the mountains for wildfires. Such agreements allow the Department to receive various grants to provide more services locally.

Stations and Resources

The City of Simpsonville currently operates six stations strategically located throughout the District which allows an average four minute response to anywhere within the District boundaries.  Headquarters is located at 403 East Curtis Street., Station 2 at 9 Capewood Road, Station 3 at 839 Highway 14, Station 4 at 1375 Neely Ferry Road, Station 5 at 400 E Standing Springs Road and newly built Station 6 at 1401 Jonesville Rd. 

Firefighting apparatus for the Department include 7 Engines (4 First-out and 3 Reserve), 1 Ladder, 1 Aerial Platform, 1 Hazardous Materials Truck, 1 Heavy Rescue Truck, and 1 Brush Truck.  In addition to these, there are 6 Administrative vehicles, a Station pickup truck used for various activities, a Collapse/Shoring trailer, a Fire Prevention/Education trailer, and an administrative vehicle used for personnel to travel to and from training classes. 

Personnel

The City of Simpsonville Fire Department currently employs 75 personnel which include 69 shift personnel working a 3-shift, 24 hour on/48 hour off rotating schedule.  Stations assignments, duties, and placement of the personnel are determined by the Fire Chief based on the needs of the District.  Currently, Headquarters has five personnel, Station 2 has six personnel, Station 3 has three personnel, Station 4 has three personnel, Station 5 has three personnel, and Station 6 has three personnel per shift.   There are 6 Administrative personnel which work a weekday schedule.  Their offices are located at 102 Academy Street in the building formerly used for the branch library.  They include the Chief, the Assistant Chief, the Fire Marshal, two Deputy Fire Marshals and a Training Officer.