After over 28 years in the fire service, Clemson University Fire Chief Rick Cramer has announced his retirement from the fire service. Cramer, who led the Clemson University Fire & EMS Department (CUFD) for the last four years, was honored in a formal ceremony on Friday, a tradition that he started for those retiring from the department.
“My time at Clemson has been special,” Cramer said. “I couldn’t have imagined how fast I was going to be accepted as part of the family. When a new Chief arrives in town, there is always a little uncertainty, but from the start, we have forged some bonds that will never be broken. This is hard not so much because of leaving the fire service, but because of the feeling of loss of my fire service family.”
Cramer joined CUFD in May 2021 after over 24 years with the Bluffton Township Fire District in Bluffton, South Carolina. He began his career in the fire service as a volunteer in October 1996, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Chief of Operations in January 2014, serving in that role until his move to Clemson.
“I think we have made giant strides in advancing the level of service experienced by the University and Clemson community alike,” said Cramer. “The firefighters bought into the vision, and I am proud of the progress we have made over the past four years. I look forward to watching the continued progress of the department, just from the sidelines.”
Cramer’s impact on the department is a lasting one. Under Cramer’s leadership, the department has grown to 58 total staff with 16 full-time personnel assigned to each shift, adding a full-time Training Officer and creating a Community Risk Reduction division. He prioritized professional development and personal growth, encouraging every member to pursue challenging courses and new experiences, instilling a culture of lifelong learning.
In 2023, he launched the “10 in 30” initiative—monthly personal development prompts designed to challenge, inspire, and grow the CUFD team. As Public Safety instituted principles from the Struggle Well program, Cramer opened or closed staff meetings with gratitude roundtables, creating space for reflection, wellness, and connection.
Cramer instituted pinning ceremonies, swearing-in events and retirement ceremonies that are common in the fire service and created a Legacy and Retiree Board to honor both current members and those who served before. These traditions highlight important career milestones of those in the department, honor the journeys of each member, and bring families and colleagues together to celebrate success.
Cramer built an administrative structure that supported operational excellence, reinforcing a mindset of continuous improvement and service. He also championed increases in both administrative and operational staffing levels, recognizing the need for sustainable support across all functions of the department. These strategic additions helped stabilize day-to-day operations while allowing for continued innovation and growth.
Cramer oversaw the development of the ongoing expansion of Station 1 on campus. It will feature 4,500+ additional square feet of offices and meeting space, as well as provide upgrades to the existing station to improve living conditions for on-duty firefighters.
Earlier this year, CUFD expanded its partnership with the City of Clemson, adding a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) to its fleet to respond to medical calls in the city. Cramer also oversaw a department-wide review and upgrade of radio communications, improving interoperability with campus and regional partners and supporting modern communications standards.
The department also added a new quint ladder truck with Cramer’s vision that features a brand-new paint scheme with the University’s iconic Clemson Orange. The vehicle establishes the new design standard for department vehicles moving forward, reflecting CUFD’s unique role at the University and in the surrounding community.
Cramer laid the foundation for the department to pursue Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) accreditation, an achievement he previously accomplished during his time in Bluffton. He created an Accreditation Manager position, initiated the creation of a Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover, and introduced performance measurement tracking and self-assessment to put CUFD on a path to accreditation.
“I have never looked at the past 28 years as a job; it has always felt like a calling,” Cramer said. “However, the time has come to bring it to a close, but I will forever be grateful for the opportunity!”