MEDIA ADVISORY – BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT TO CONDUCT 9/11 OBSERVANCE

Contact: Taft Matney

Date: September 10, 2011

Phone: 864/505-8866

E-Mail: taft@taftmatney.com

 

Tomorrow, September 11, 2011 the Boiling Springs Fire District (Greenville County, SC) will hold a brief 9/11 remembrance ceremony at its headquarters located at 5020 Pelham Road in Greenville to observe the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States.

The ceremony will begin at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to last approximately 20 minutes and will include participation by the BSFD Honor Guard and remarks from Chaplain Gary Rogers.

Members of neighboring fire departments are expected to attend, and the public is invited.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, two Boiling Springs Honor Guard detachments will leave the district’s headquarters to participate in other area observance ceremonies.

Officials from Boiling Springs Fire District say that they plan to hold a larger scale ceremony when construction is completed on the district’s privately-funded 9/11 memorial that features a steel beam from the World Trade Center as a centerpiece.

 

For planning purposes, directions to Boiling Springs’ headquarters are below.

From Greenville

• Take I-85 North to Pelham Road
• Bear right at the top of the exit ramp on to Pelham Road.
• BSFD Headquarters is located on the right on the corner at the first traffic signal.

From Spartanburg

• Take I-85 South to Pelham Road
• Turn left at the top of the exit ramp on to Pelham Road.
• After crossing back over I-85, BSFD Headquarters is located on the right on the corner at the intersection of Pelham and Garlington Roads.

 

About the Boiling Springs Fire District

Established in 1968 and located on Greenville County's Eastside, the Boiling Springs Fire District covers 15 square miles and serves over 26,000 residents. Governed by five commissioners recommended by county council and appointed by the governor, the Boiling Springs Fire District is a special purpose district responsible for addressing specific concerns and local issues among commercial and residential interests through 40 paid personnel and 20 volunteers operating out of 3 fire stations. The Boiling Springs Fire District is South Carolina's only ISO Class 1 fire department with a combination of paid and volunteer fire fighters.

 

For media inquiries, please contact Taft Matney by e-mail at taft@taftmatney.com or by phone at 864/505-8866.

 

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RESIDENTS BACK NEW FIRE STATION

By Anna Lee
Staff Writer
zlee@greenvillenews.com
September 7, 2011
Section B2 -- http://bit.ly/poakca

Business owners and residents who came to Greenville County Square on Tuesday night all had one agenda: to support the Boiling Springs Fire District.

Each had three minutes or less to ask County Council to consider issuing a $2 million bond that would allow the fire district to buy a former church building on 208 Blacks Drive and renovate it into a fire station.

Some, including Milton Murphy, general manager of Speedway Packaging and Distribution, said a new fire station would help Boiling Springs keep its ISO rating of 1, the highest a department can achieve.

“If it were to drop, it would mean our insurance costs would go up, and we would have, basically, some choices to make,” Murphy said. “We can reduce our personnel at the site, or we have to raise our prices to our customers. Either way, it’s not good for us or the economy.” Claire Sizemore and Tim Greaves, a former firefighter, said the station’s proximity to heavily traveled Pelham Road and Interstate 85 would shave crucial minutes off emergency response times.

“The bottom line of this whole issue is life or death,” Sizemore said.

At issue is a fire district that spans 15 square miles across Greenville’s growing Eastside area. Its ISO rating will drop to 3 if a fourth station isn’t built soon, said Fire Chief Steve Graham.

“It was a godsend to find this piece of property with an existing building that we can renovate for about $2 million,” Graham said.

The general obligation bond would increase property taxes by $4.35 on a $100,000 owner-occupied home.

County Council members were divided on the issue during a Finance Committee meeting earlier this year.

Meadows and Councilman Sid Cates voted against the proposal, while Butch Kirven and Jim Burns voted in favor. Councilman Bob Taylor was absent but later cast the deciding 3-2 vote to allow the bond issuance to move forward.

A public hearing and second reading will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 4.

■ Staff writer Nathaniel Cary contributed to this report.

MEDIA ADVISORY – BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT TO PRESENT SIDE-BY-SIDE BURN

Event Designed to Demonstrate the Protective Benefits of Residential Sprinkler Systems

Contact: Taft Matney

Date: November 8, 2010

Phone: 864/505-8866

E-Mail: taft@taftmatney.com

Today, Monday, November 8 at 1:00 p.m., Boiling Springs Fire District personnel will conduct a “side-by-side” burn at the Taylors Fire Training Tower located at 2 Space Drive in Taylors (Near Wade Hampton Boulevard off of N. Watson Road).

Firefighters will ignite two nearly identical rooms (including build, floor coverings, furniture, and
smoke detector). The only difference is that one room will be equipped with a residential sprinkler system.

The purpose of the burn is to demonstrate how inclusion of fire sprinklers can and is saving lives and property.

This event is made possible through generous donations from the following sponsors:

• The Home Depot – Structural Building Materials
• American Fire Protection Corp – Sprinkler System
• Millers of Greenville – Room Furnishings
• Wal-Mart – Room Furnishings

Fire Marshal Jeff Nelson will be the primary spokesperson on-site and will be available at the burn
demonstration.

ABOUT THE BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT

Established in 1968 and located on Greenville County's Eastside, the Boiling Springs Fire District covers 15 square miles and serves over 26,000 residents. Governed by five commissioners recommended by county council and appointed by the governor, the Boiling Springs Fire District is a special purpose district responsible for addressing specific concerns and local issues among commercial and residential interests through 40 paid personnel and 20 volunteers operating out of 3 fire stations. The Boiling Springs Fire District is South Carolina's only ISO Class 1 fire department with a combination of paid and volunteer fire fighters.

For media inquiries, please contact Taft Matney by e-mail at taft@taftmatney.com or by phone at 864/505-8866.

NORTH AMERICAN RESCUE DONATES FIREFIGHTER SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT

UPDATE: Although this release was originally posted on September 23, 2010, the donation was presented on October 1 at North American Rescue's headquarters off of I-85 in Greenville County. The above video was shot following the presentation.

More than $20,000 in innovative Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Firefighter Survival Equipment goes to Boiling Springs Fire District.

(Greer, SC / September 23, 2010) This month North American Rescue is donating more than $20,000 in innovative Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Firefighter Survival Equipment to their local fire service, Boiling Springs Fire District. The equipment donated includes 75 Firefighter Survival Kits, 75 Bail Out Kits, 10 Roof Rescue Kits, and 18 High Anchor Kits.

The VooDoo® line of Firefighter/RIT Survival Gear was designed to overcome the factors of survival stress and developed to decrease firefighter mortality. By carrying the least amount of equipment with the most versatile number of applications, firefighters are better equipped to successfully execute a rescue while operating in unpredictable and unforgiving situations on the fireground.

Firefighter Survival Kits, comprised of wire cutters, knives, harnesses, and a variety of special cords, ropes, and carabiners, can accomplish a wide range of rescue operations with minimal equipment. Bail Out Kits allow for firefighters to bail out under extreme circumstances while maintaining control of their descent. Roof Rescue Kits make it possible to perform multiple simultaneous rescues via roofs, balconies, or windows, allowing rescuers to access places outside the reach of ladders. High Anchor Kits enable the hoisting and lowering of victims with fewer personnel and are specially designed for rapid set up and deployment.

This gear will better equip the firefighters with the tools needed for a means of egress from multi-story structures and other numerous lifesaving interventions in times of entrapment and distress. The NAR representatives responsible for spearheading this donation are President Samuel D. Wyman III, CFO Dean Bugner, COO Jim Carino, and Director of Non-Military Products Brent Bronson.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to support the brave first responders of the Boiling Springs Fire Department. It’s great knowing that their service plays an important role in the safety of our community,” said Samuel D. Wyman III, President of North American Rescue. “In keeping with the passion of our business, we have a sincere desire to see this donation of firefighter survival gear help increase their survivability in the line of duty so that they can return home safe to their families.”

Chief Steve Graham of Boiling Springs said, “The Boiling Springs Fire District is grateful to receive this equipment that we otherwise would not be able to afford.”

“By deploying these kits provided by North American Rescue, we can enhance the safety of not only our firefighters but those responders in our neighboring departments as well,” Graham added.

About North American Rescue

North American Rescue, LLC, based in Greer, South Carolina, has enjoyed the honor of serving their country, community, and customers for over a decade. By providing innovative casualty care solutions to first responders, health care professionals, and security forces at home and abroad, NAR is leading the fray to decrease preventable death on the battlefield, whether it be a foreign combat zone or the streets of America.

For media inquiries regarding North American Rescue, please contact Lonnie Johnson by e-mail at marketing@NARescue.com or by phone at 864/675-9800.

About the Boiling Springs Fire District

Established in 1968 and located on Greenville County’s Eastside, the Boiling Springs Fire District covers 15 square miles and serves over 26,000 residents. Governed by five commissioners recommended by county council and appointed by the governor, the Boiling Springs Fire District is a special purpose district responsible for addressing specific concerns and local issues among commercial and residential interests through 40 paid personnel and 20 volunteers operating out of 3 fire stations. The Boiling Springs Fire District is South Carolina’s only ISO Class 1 fire department with a combination of paid and volunteer fire fighters.

For media inquiries regarding the Boiling Springs Fire District, please contact Taft Matney by e-mail at taft@taftmatney.com or by phone at 864/505-8866.

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OP-ED: RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLERS -- DISCUSSING THE IMPACTS OF H.4663

There’s been a lot of discussion about H.4663 regarding the new construction requirements for residential fire sprinkler systems. Some say it’s turning South Carolina in to a “Nanny State,” while others tout sprinklers’ safety benefits.

In the interest of full disclosure, I represent two Upstate fire districts. While that gives me a certain insight in to the fire protection implications for the bill, I also have information about the legislation’s financial implications. Since that seems to be what the legislation's opposition is focusing on, that's what I'll focus on, too.

In short, there's a lot more to 4663 than the homebuilders are saying.

To be clear, 4663 doesn't mandate sprinklers. It allows South Carolina to make the newly adopted residential sprinkler section of the international building code unenforceable. So it's an opt-out, not a legislative idea to install sprinklers in newly constructed single family residential projects.

The homebuilders’ association cites cost as the reason it opposes the new sprinkler requirements. Having listened to many of its these industry leaders during Sen. Thomas' hearings, their testimony simply didn’t ring true. There is misinformation being perpetuated as fact.

Retrofitting isn't a requirement, so for all of the people who would be "shut out of homeownership" due to the cost of residential sprinklers in new construction, there are other homeownership options that do not and will not require sprinklers.

You haven't built every house you've moved in, have you? No, and those homes would not fall under the code requirements. The Realtors would be happy to sell the state’s existing inventory of homes on the market.

If you're already a homeowner, you aren't subject to the new construction requirement, either.

We also have to look at what residential sprinkler requirement means for insurance premiums. In short, they'll go up.

If the state opts out of enforcing the building codes, the groups that help set insurance premiums will note what is now accepted as higher risk of death and property damage/destruction. As those ISO ratings drop, the insurance companies will raise premiums for SC's policy holders (that's across-the-board single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial) due to the added risk. Current estimates are that as many as 44% of fire protection jurisdictions across the state will be negatively impacted through ratings reductions.

Even former Senator and current Department of Insurance director Scott Richardson noted this during his testimony to Senator Thomas.

I understand the opposition by those who are in the business of building new homes. They don't make money unless they build them and then sell them, and they're afraid that an additional $1500 - $3000 may make their jobs more difficult.

As the HBA opposes the new building codes, they talk about the added cost on the front end to install the systems as the homes are built. What their lobby neglects to talk about is the costs to the homeowner on the back end which will add up over time with increased premiums. Why don't they talk about that? Because when the house is sold, those new costs don't matter. That becomes the homeowner's problem. The profit has been made.

The debate over this issue in SC is fairly new, but the legislation to ignore the requirements is moving through the General Assembly with lightning speed. Slowing down this legislative train until we can sort through the cost implications for the short and long-term isn’t unreasonable.

The new code doesn’t take effect until next year, so even if 4663 dies this year and we take the summer and fall to go through all of the information to get to the actual cost of the matter outside of the gloom-and-doom perpetuated by the homebuilders, the General Assembly would still have ample time when they return in January to create a legislative remedy if necessary.

Let's slow down and get to the truth before we make a mistake we can't undo.

Taft Matney, is the president of TM Public Relations & Governmental Affairs and represents the Boiling Springs Fire District and the Wade Hampton Fire and Sewer Districts in areas of public policy. He can be contacted by e-mail at taft@taftmatney.com.

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This op-ed may be reprinted/reposted upon written notification to taft@taftmatney.com.

BOILING SPRINGS FIRE DISTRICT DEDICATES & COMMISSIONS NEW PLATFORM TRUCK

NOTE: WYFF broadcast this report (Disable "HD" function for faster loading) anchored by Nigel Robertson during its 5:30 p.m. newscast on February 22, 2010.

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On the morning of February 22, 2010, Boiling Springs Fire District officials dedicated and commissioned Platform 2 -- the newest truck addition to the district's fleet which includes 8 fire engines, 2 aerial ladder trucks, and a rescue vehicle.

The traditional “wet down” ceremony took place at the district’s headquarters on Pelham Road in Greenville County (SC).

ABOUT “PLATFORM 2”
Platform 2 is an American LaFrance Eagle equipped with a 100' platform and a 2000 gallon per minute pump. This truck's platform extension has the capability to reach the roof of a seven story building and includes an option to remove unconscious victims from upper floors via a cradle system to secure a rescue basket while still allowing room for firefighters to operate inside the platform area.

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ORIGINAL AIR DATE: February 22, 2010 during the 5:30 p.m. (EST) newscast. Copyright 2010 WYFF and Hearst Television, Inc.

Media Relations and Public Affairs handled by TM Public Relations & Governmental Affairs (www.taftmatney.com).