Fire Department · Combination
South Lynches Fire Department
Lake City, SC · Florence County
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Department careers page ↗South Lynches Fire Department traces its roots to 1955, when seven local firefighters organized to provide fire protection for the rural areas around Lake City, chartering as the Lake City Rural Fire Department on January 24, 1955. The department was renamed the Lower Florence County Fire Department in the mid-1970s, and took its current name in 1982 when the South Lynches Fire District was formally established. The department grew from 7 stations in 2014 to its current 10 stations by 2018, absorbing the Lake City Rescue Squad in 1995.
Today the department is staffed by a small full-time and part-time paid administrative and specialist team — including a Deputy Chief of Administration, Captains, a Lieutenant/Fire Marshal, and an Administrative Assistant/Fire Prevention Officer — supplemented by more than 100 volunteer firefighters operating out of 10 stations across the district: Lake City, Coward, Camp Branch, Cades, Camerontown-Leo, Scranton, New Hope, Baker's Crossroads, White Oak, and Moore's Crossroads.
The district spans industrial, suburban, residential, agricultural, and commercial areas bisected north-to-south by the CSX Railroad and U.S. Highway 52, with the Lynches River forming its northern boundary. SLFD provides fire suppression, First Responder/EMS, technical and water rescue, and fire prevention and safety education, running a fleet of engine, tanker, rescue/service, brush, and water rescue units and holding an ISO Class 4 protection rating.
MissionIn 1955 seven firefighters began a mission to provide fire protection for the rural areas in the greater Lake City area in an effort to save lives and property.
South Lynches Fire Department is primarily a volunteer organization supplemented by a handful of paid full-time and part-time firefighter/administrative positions. Volunteers and applicants for paid openings apply through the same online application, and paid positions are filled as vacancies arise (recent openings included a Part-Time Firefighter/Driver and a Fire Prevention Officer/Firefighter, both since filled).
Requirements
- High school diploma
- IFSAC Firefighter I certification (Firefighter II preferred)
- Emergency Vehicle Driver Training and pump/rural water supply operations knowledge
- South Carolina Class E driver's license or CDL
- Medical First Responder certification
- NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications
- Hazardous materials operations training
- Basic auto extrication skills
- Clean 10-year driving record
- Pass a firefighter physical examination
- Consent to a SLED criminal background check
- Parental consent required for minor applicants
Hiring process
- Complete the online volunteer/employment application on the department website
- Submit personal information, employment history, fire service experience, and references
- Consent to a SLED criminal background check
- Submit resume and inquiries to the Deputy Chief of Administration for paid openings
- Pass a firefighter physical examination (for applicable positions)
What area does South Lynches Fire Department serve?
SLFD serves south central Florence County and northwestern Williamsburg County in northeastern South Carolina, protecting a district of about 20,000 residents across industrial, suburban, residential, agricultural, and commercial areas.
Is South Lynches Fire Department a volunteer or career department?
It's a combination department: a small team of full-time and part-time paid administrative and specialist staff supplements more than 100 volunteer firefighters.
How many stations does the department operate?
SLFD operates 10 stations: Lake City, Coward, Camp Branch, Cades, Camerontown-Leo, Scranton, New Hope, Baker's Crossroads, White Oak, and Moore's Crossroads.
What is SLFD's ISO rating?
The department currently holds an ISO Class 4 protection rating.
How do I apply to join South Lynches Fire Department?
Applicants complete the online application on the department's website, consent to a SLED criminal background check, and (for paid openings) submit a resume to the Deputy Chief of Administration.