The Clemson University Fire & EMS Department (CUFD) continues to be a leader in the state in Community Risk Reduction, earning its fifth straight “Fire Safe South Carolina” Community designation from Fire Safe South Carolina (FSSC). FSSC is a community risk reduction program that annually recognizes fire departments in the state for community risk reduction plans.
These designated communities continually work to reduce fire-related injuries in the state of South Carolina, thereby decreasing the risks for residents and firefighters. They also promote consistent fire safety messaging and stress the importance of providing all relative data collected at fire scenes.
“It is an honor for Clemson University Fire & EMS to be named a Fire Safe Community in South Carolina for the fifth year in a row,” said Community Risk Reduction Lieutenant Jennifer Thackston. “Our goal is to make the Clemson community safer by increasing fire safety and reducing hazards through education and events, providing in-home fire safety visits and finding ways to serve the community better, such as our Community Connect portal.”
CUFD recently announced its Community Connect portal, which allows residents and businesses to share critical information with emergency response personnel that could be used in an emergency situation. The department also recently expanded its efforts in Community Risk Reduction with the addition of Sergeant Kurt Kruysman.
To earn the “Fire Safe South Carolina” designation, fire departments completed courses to improve data quality, trained community partners to deliver in-home safety visits, and further developed their skills through online National Fire Academy courses in risk reduction and assessment.
Since the first designation was awarded in 2019, CUFD has received the designation each year. Clemson was one of just 57 communities on the inaugural list. The total number continues to grow, with 151 communities earning the designation for 2023.
Launched in 2017, FSSC’s partners include the S.C. State Firefighters’ Association, the S.C. State Association of Fire Chiefs, the S.C. Fire Marshal Association and the S.C. Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Together, they announce the South Carolina fire departments that have obtained the Fire Safe SC Community designation each year.