Fort Mill Fire Department Expands with New Grant and Additional Firefighters
Fort Mill is seeing significant changes in its fire services as the local fire department prepares to expand its workforce and resources. The Fort Mill Town Council has announced plans to add 15 new firefighters next year, partly funded by a $4.2 million federal grant awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This grant will support the hiring of more personnel over the next three years, with funds beginning in March 2025.
Growth of the Fire Department
According to Fire Chief Chipper Wilkerson, the addition will bring the total number of full-time firefighters to 57, along with four part-time staff. Wilkerson highlighted that this expansion is necessary due to the city’s rapid growth, which has created demands for more emergency services. “I remember when I first got here in 2014,” Wilkerson stated. “There was very little development along S.C. Highway 160 to Tega Cay. Now, it has developed quite well.”
Background and Funding
The awarded Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant will cover salaries for the new hires for three years. This grant marks the third time that Fort Mill has successfully sought federal funding for its fire department. In 2015, a similar grant enabled the hiring of nine firefighters to address the challenges posed by the community’s expanding population and infrastructure.
Local Responsibilities and Recent Incidents
The Fort Mill Fire Department is responsible for all emergency calls within the town’s limits, and it contracts with York County for service in an unincorporated area spanning eight square miles. Wilkerson explained that while they handle routine incidents like traffic accidents and fire alarms, they have also faced unusual challenges, such as a significant train derailment in December 2018. “The routine ones can be plenty strenuous,” he said, especially during peak traffic times.
Future Developments
As part of its growth strategy, the town plans to construct a third fire station in the Masons Bend subdivision, located in the southwestern area of Fort Mill. The Town Council is expected to approve this project soon, with plans for the station to be operational by late 2026. This development aims to improve response times and service availability as the community continues to expand.
Community Impact
The fire department’s proactive measures can be credited with saving several structures during past emergencies, such as a fire at the historic Unity Presbyterian Church in December 2018. Members of the congregation expressed gratitude toward the firefighters for their rapid response, which saved parts of the church that could have otherwise been lost.
A Commitment to Service
Through these changes, the Fort Mill Fire Department is not just addressing immediate needs but also planning for future growth and challenges. Fire Chief Wilkerson emphasized the importance of ensuring that the department keeps pace with the town’s burgeoning population and infrastructure demands, stating, “It’s another key reason to get our stations better distributed throughout the town and keep adding those in the future.”
As Fort Mill continues to grow into one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing municipalities, the commitment to enhancing public safety through well-resourced and adequately staffed fire services remains a priority.
