For the sixth straight year, the Clemson University Fire & EMS Department (CUFD) earned the “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.
“Clemson University Fire & EMS is honored to be named a Fire Safe Community in South Carolina for the sixth consecutive year,” said Community Risk Reduction Lieutenant Jennifer Thackston. “We are continually striving to make the Clemson community safer by looking for new and better ways to serve the community, increasing fire safety and reducing hazards through education and events and providing in-home fire safety visits.”
CUFD continues to be a leader in Community Risk Reduction (CRR), having received the Fire Safe SC designation every year since its inception. 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 relevant data collected at fire scenes.
Highlights for CRR efforts include:
- CUFD recently added a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) to respond to medical emergencies in the City of Clemson. This data-informed deployment allows CUFD to better support the community, reducing the impact of incidents and providing more efficient and effective emergency response.
- CUFD, alongside local partners, hosted its annual Fire Prevention Day for the local elementary schools in October 2024, educating over 400 kids on critical fire safety topics.
- CUFD was selected to participate in beta testing for the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS). Members of CUFD provided feedback on the system, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of departments across the country to use data for better decision-making and ultimately safer communities.
- CUFD, the Clemson University Office of Emergency Management and campus partners established a collaborative workgroup to improve fire alarm evacuation procedures for individuals with access and functional needs.
- Text-to-911 became available on Clemson University’s main campus, in the City of Clemson and the surrounding area in July 2024. This vital service makes it easier for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to communicate with dispatchers.
To earn the “Fire Safe South Carolina” designation, fire departments complete courses to increase their departments’ Community Risk Reduction efforts, document opportunities for public education and work with partners to address risks in their community.
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.