Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department

It’s that time of year again. We are 17 days into hurricane season and we already have our first named storm of the year. Tropical Storm Arthur has formed in the Gulf and will bring rain to our area possibly Friday. Please check out the hurricane guide to make sure that you have a plan and know your Zone. For us in the Pimlico Fire District we are Zone E. Have your hurricane supplies ready for this season and if you have questions please don’t hesitate to ask us and please only believe trusted sources for actually weather tracks. We will only post credible weather information from the professionals. A good App to have for your phones is Emergency: Severe Weather App, it can help you with checklists and to have emergency contacts made.
https://berkeleycountysc.gov/wp-content/uploads/docs/HurricaneGuide24.pdf

On Memorial Day Pimlico Fire Department held Badge Pinning Ceremony for promotions and for our new recruits who completed their Fire 1 Recruit School. Promotions to Assistant Chief, Captains, and Engineers. We would like to thank all of these individuals for their hard work and dedication to our community. Congratulations to all.
The following people have been promoted:
Assistant Chief Walter Olenhaus
Captain Brady Turcotte
Captain Robert Howlett
Captain James Lewis Jr
Engineer Pete Bohrer
Engineer Keyshawn Suitte
Engineer Michael Holinko
Engineer Owen Levinson
Engineer Ronald Smith
FF Aiden Ferrell
FF Lane Collard
FF Matthew Dangerfield
FF Matthew Jones
FF Laura Smith
FF Sam Coward -Caromi Fire
FF Nikita Pancrazio -Dorchester Fire Rescue
FF Ian Gerdes- C&B Fire Department

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Ex Chief and Life-member John Dick of Pimlico Fire Department. Ex Chief Dick was one of the founding members of Pimlico Fire Department. We will continue to honor his legacy within our department.

His graveside service will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Road. Arrangements are by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel.

https://obits.jhenrystuhr.com/john-dick

This week 10 students from C&B FD, Dorchester County Fire/Rescue, Moncks Corner Rural FD and Pimlico FD completed SCFA Basic Auto Extrication with our Training Division. All students successfully completed their skills portion of the course Sunday afternoon.
We also want to extend a huge thank you to our neighbors at Berkeley Scrap Metal in Moncks Corner for allowing us to use their property for the skills testing.
Congratulations all.

Starting now we are officially in a Burn Ban as per The South Carolina Forestry Commission. Please follow their instructions and do not burn.

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban; restriction on all outdoor burning goes into effect at 7 a.m. Friday

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17.

A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

Forestry Commission officials cite a particularly dangerous mix of elevated wildfire risk factors through the weekend that warrant limiting all ignitions in the interest of public safety.

Rapidly escalating drought conditions across the state, a critical decrease in relative humidities over the next several days and gusty winds that are expected to accompany an approaching cold front will combine to create extreme fire danger.

"When it’s this dry – energy release component values are at high-to-critical levels – we’re just as likely, if not more, to see wildfires that are fuel-driven rather than wind-driven. Add the other volatile conditions of increased wind and lower relative humidity, and it becomes an especially precarious situation,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. "These conditions not only increase the likelihood of wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly, but would also make them more difficult for firefighters to control.”

While the ban does not apply to fires used for the preparation of food or fires used in appropriate enclosures (portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas or permanent fire pits constructed of stone, masonry, metal or other noncombustible material that conforms with all applicable South Carolina fire codes), Forestry Commission officials urge the utmost caution burning outdoors under these exemptions.

Likewise, citizens should exercise extreme vigilance operating any equipment that could create sparks, avoid parking on dry grass and refrain from using fireworks.

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.

Shareable release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-StateForestersBurningBan-20260416.pdf

Effective tomorrow morning 4/17/26 at 7am we are in a State wide Burn Ban. Please follow the directions from The South Carolina Forestry Commission and do not burn.

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban; restriction on all outdoor burning goes into effect at 7 a.m. Friday

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17.

A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

Forestry Commission officials cite a particularly dangerous mix of elevated wildfire risk factors through the weekend that warrant limiting all ignitions in the interest of public safety.

Rapidly escalating drought conditions across the state, a critical decrease in relative humidities over the next several days and gusty winds that are expected to accompany an approaching cold front will combine to create extreme fire danger.

"When it’s this dry – energy release component values are at high-to-critical levels – we’re just as likely, if not more, to see wildfires that are fuel-driven rather than wind-driven. Add the other volatile conditions of increased wind and lower relative humidity, and it becomes an especially precarious situation,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. "These conditions not only increase the likelihood of wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly, but would also make them more difficult for firefighters to control.”

While the ban does not apply to fires used for the preparation of food or fires used in appropriate enclosures (portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas or permanent fire pits constructed of stone, masonry, metal or other noncombustible material that conforms with all applicable South Carolina fire codes), Forestry Commission officials urge the utmost caution burning outdoors under these exemptions.

Likewise, citizens should exercise extreme vigilance operating any equipment that could create sparks, avoid parking on dry grass and refrain from using fireworks.

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.

Shareable release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-StateForestersBurningBan-20260416.pdf

This National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we proudly recognize the incredible 911 dispatchers of Berkeley County.
Behind every emergency response is a calm, steady voice guiding the way—answering calls in moments of fear, gathering critical information, and ensuring help arrives as quickly as possible. These professionals are the first first-responders, working tirelessly behind the scenes 24/7 to support our community and keep both residents and emergency crews safe.
Their strength, compassion, and dedication do not go unnoticed. Whether it’s a life-threatening emergency or a call for assistance, they are always there—ready to listen, ready to act.
Thank you, Berkeley County 911 dispatchers, for your service, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to protecting others. 🚨

Starting tomorrow morning we are officially in a Red Flag Warning as per The South Carolina Forestry Commission

Forestry Commission issuing statewide Red Flag Fire Alert
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective at 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 8.

The alert is being issued to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire.

In addition to a widespread deficit of rainfall that continues to intensify drought over much of the state, Wednesday’s forecast includes gusty winds higher than 20 mph and relative humidities under 25% in places.

Because current weather conditions are very conducive to fires escaping easily and spreading rapidly, anyone considering outdoor burning should take extra precautions if they still choose to burn under a Red Flag Fire Alert. Those who have burned recently should return to monitor their burn areas and ensure the dry conditions don’t cause any rekindling.

“Wildfire potential is always higher this time of year, and our use of the Red Flag Fire Alert a few weeks ago made a huge difference in the number of new ignitions,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “This warning is a great tool that encourages citizens to voluntarily postpone any such burning until the alert is lifted. We’re simply asking for people to respect the weather, be smart and stay safe.”

Adding to the danger, particularly in the western part of the state, are the heavy fuel loads that remain in our forests from Hurricane Helene. Not only can these downed, drying trees and other fuels act as kindling, increasing the risk of wildfire ignition and spread, but they also are likely to impede firefighters’ access, adversely impacting response capability.

Although a Red Flag Fire Alert does not ban outdoor burning, it does trigger certain county or local ordinances that restrict outdoor fires, so residents should contact their local fire departments to check whether such restrictions apply in their areas. The alert will remain in effect until lifted by the Commission, whose fire managers will continuously monitor the situation.

Press release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-RedFlagFireAlert-260408.pdf