Finance and Operations; OUR Clemson

CUFD lauded for community risk reduction efforts with Fire Safe SC designation

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The Clemson University Fire & EMS Department (CUFD) received its fourth straight “Fire Safe South Carolina” Community designation from Fire Safe South Carolina (FSSC), 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.

“Clemson University Fire & EMS is honored to once again be named a Fire Safe Community in South Carolina for the fourth year in a row,” said Sergeant Jennifer Thackston, who leads community risk reduction efforts for CUFD. “Organizing and attending events to help increase fire safety and reduce hazards in our community, our in-home safety visit program, along with support from companies like Energizer to provide free smoke alarm batteries are a just a few ways every member representing CUFD seeks to make our community safer.”

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.

CUFD has received the designation each year since its inception in 2019. Clemson was one of just 57 communities to be recognized in 2019 with the total number growing each year to 132 communities with the current 2022 designation.

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.