The Office of the Dorchester County Fire Board was created by Ordinance 79-21 in 1979. Membership consists of the County Fire Chiefs and Associate members. Our primary responsibilities include designation of boundaries, coordination of fire communications and any other activity related to the prevention and suppression of fires. The Board makes recommendations to County Council on matters concerning fire safety, oversees the Fire Fund and has implemented a strategic plan focused on increasing firefighter safety and lowering Fire District ISO ratings.
Recent Highlights and Progress
October 2005, the 11 County Fire Departments implemented an Automatic Aid Agreement. Briefly, this agreement increases the number of firefighters and apparatus responding by "automatically" dispatching the 3 closest Fire Companies to all fire alarms and structure fires. Increased FF safety, better response times and reduced property damage have been the immediate result of this agreement. While we still have mutual aid agreements in place, automatic aid relieves pressure from the initial Incident Commander who hears the dispatcher sending additional companies automatically when the call first comes in.
January 2007, P/T Firefighter/Engineers are working in several of the Upper County stations. Their duties include responding to Fire/First Responder medical calls, station, vehicle and equipment maintenance, record keeping and other duties as assigned by the gaining Fire Chief. P/T Engineers will normally work when Volunteer FF's are at their regular jobs to provide more consistent response Countywide during the day.
September 2007, Additional standardized Policies/SOG's are reviewed, the Fire Chiefs adopt a common Signal to Evacuate SOG.
October 2007, 12 new Ferrara Fire Apparatus were delivered to Dorchester County. Standardized specs and equipment ensure that any Fire Company responding to assist another can seamlessly integrate into another Fire Departments operation.
April 2008, The Board approved and is advertising for proposals to build additions to the Sandhill and Indian Field Fire Stations. Both projects provide additional vehicle bays, offices, storage areas and training/meeting rooms which can also be used by their communities.
August 2008, Construction has started at Sandhill Fire Department. The 4 bay apparatus bay is expected to be completed by the middle of September.
