Fire Department · Combination
Central Berkeley Fire-EMS
Summerville, SC · Berkeley County
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Department careers page ↗Central Berkeley Fire & EMS was created in July 2022 through the merger of the Whitesville Rural Fire Department and the Cross Rural Fire Department, combining their coverage into a single 132-square-mile response district operating from six stations. The department employs more than 100 members across career full-time, part-time, and volunteer ranks, and is licensed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for EMS service.
The department was recognized as the 2022 South Carolina Small EMS System of the Year. Its coverage area includes the legacy Whitesville district (generally north/northwest of the Highway 176 and 17A intersection) and the legacy Cross district (around the Short Cut Road and Highway 6 intersection, including parts of Lake Moultrie). Volunteer members are assigned to one of these two coverage areas depending on where they live or work.
The department runs community programs such as Vial of Life, which stores residents' critical medical information for use by emergency responders, and it offers internal EMS training such as 12-lead and 15-lead EKG instruction for both volunteer and full-time personnel.
Central Berkeley Fire & EMS hires career full-time firefighters (including a Firefighter II position funded by a federal grant), part-time firefighters, and volunteer members assigned to its legacy Whitesville or Cross coverage areas.
Requirements
- Full-time Firefighter II: SCFA Certified Firefighter II
- Full-time Firefighter II: Valid driver's license with clean history
- Full-time Firefighter II: Clean criminal history
- Full-time Firefighter II: SCFA Pump Ops and SCFA Aerial Ops certifications preferred
- Part-time Firefighter: NFPA Firefighter II certification
- Part-time Firefighter: CPR certification
- Volunteer: 18 years of age
- Volunteer: Physically able to perform the duties of the job
- Volunteer: Valid driver's license
- Volunteer: Must reside or be employed within the department's service area
- Volunteer: Attend weekly training sessions
Benefits
Volunteers gain hands-on experience in emergency response, apparatus and equipment operation, and life-saving techniques while serving their community; the department does not publish a detailed benefits package for paid positions on its site.
Where does Central Berkeley Fire & EMS operate?
The department covers 132 square miles from six stations, serving the areas previously covered by the Whitesville Rural Fire Department and the Cross Rural Fire Department near Summerville and Cross, SC.
How was Central Berkeley Fire & EMS formed?
It was formed in July 2022 through the merger of the Whitesville Rural Fire Department and the Cross Rural Fire Department.
What are the requirements to volunteer?
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, physically able to perform the job's duties, hold a valid driver's license, reside or work in the service area, and attend weekly training sessions.
Does the department offer paid firefighter positions?
Yes. It hires career full-time firefighters, including a federally grant-funded Firefighter II position paying $43,000 annually, as well as part-time firefighters who must hold NFPA Firefighter II and CPR certifications.
What is the department's ISO rating?
The legacy Whitesville Rural Fire Department coverage area holds a Public Protection Classification (ISO PPC) rating of 3/3X, effective October 1, 2020.