Harlem Fire Department

With tomorrow’s chance of severe weather in the area, we would like to remind everyone of the CodeRed Alerting System that is available to all Columbia County residents. Those who participate in the program receive alerts for weather advisories in addition to other Important info via text message, phone call or email. https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/95F6A6DAFC0D

Severe weather is expected to move through the area tomorrow. Keep checks on local and regional news media outlets for the latest updates.

Don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time!

-WILDLAND FIRE- HFD is currently operating on the scene of a large wildland fire off of Lamkin Rd. directly behind Cornerstone Creek subdivision. Georgia Forestry Commission is also on scene. The fire is inside a fire break and there is no danger to surrounding property or structures.

In September of 2020 HFD received a donation from ATTIC Treasures in the amount of $1000 to be used to purchase new training aids and materials to be utilized in teaching CPR classes to department personnel and the public. Today, the first community CPR class was delivered to the employees of Attic Treasures. Five members of the community are now trained in American Heart Association CPR and First Aid. This is the first class of many that will be offered periodically by HFD as a community outreach. Keep an eye on this page for announcements about scheduling of additional classes.

Last night HFD firefighters, retirees, city administrative staff and elected officials gathered for the annual HFD Christmas Dinner. Firefighter Zac Cummings was presented with the 2020 Firefighter of the Year Award for outstanding participation and involvement with department public relations events, training and incident responses. This also marked Zac’s last day with the department, as he and his family move to South Carolina and he starts a career firefighter position with Spartanburg City Fire Department. HFD Command Staff would like to thank Zac for his commitment to the department and the citizens of Harlem, as well as wish him well in his new endeavor.

Earlier this year HFD held a fundraiser selling special edition Breast Cancer Awareness tee shirts. Response to this effort was incredibly positive, with an amount of $2000 being raised. Last night at the department annual family holiday dinner a presentation was made from Fire Chief Tripp Lonergan to Amanda Richardson representing Miracle Mile Walk for the full amount raised. The donation was made in honor of Beth McCoy, wife of HFD firefighter Jeff McCoy and mother of HFD firefighter Logan McCoy. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who purchased a shirt, helped with the process or otherwise donated to this effort.

We are looking for volunteer firefighters! Are you interested in public service? Do you live in Harlem or the nearby area? Becoming a volunteer firefighter is a great way to get involved and give back to your community. Becoming a Harlem volunteer firefighter comes with many other benefits such as: - Being part of one of the best small town fire departments in the State of Georgia... - Provided basic firefighter training for non certified applicants - Unlimited advanced training opportunities once certified as a firefighter (emergency medical services, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, advanced firefighting) - Competitive stipend program (pay per call/pay per training) - City paid Georgia State Firefighters Pension Fund dues - City paid Georgia State Firefighters Association dues - City paid Family Y membership - Optional life insurance program Basic firefighter certification class for non-certified applicants to be held first quarter of 2021. All applicants must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. All other City of Harlem employment requirements apply. Link to the application can be found in the comments below this post. Applications are currently being accepted and can be turned in at Fire Station 1, 110 W. Milledgeville Rd. from 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday.

Don’t forget to change your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries when you change your clocks! Also, check manufacture date and replace any detectors older than ten years. Smoke detectors save lives!

Had a great turnout for trick or treating this evening at the station!

HFD firefighters will be handing out candy and showing the trucks at Station 1 from 6:30PM until. The first 150 kids will receive full size candy bars!

For those of you who don’t know, Charlie LOVES fire trucks! When we were playing outside yesterday she heard a fire truck and wouldn’t stop talking about it. W...e took the golfcart to get Hardee’s, and i thought maybe we could go by the Harlem Fire Department to see a truck through the windows. We were greeted by Fireman Hunter, who pretty much made Charlie’s whole year! Not only did he let Charlie sit in the truck, we got to see all the lights, get a tour of the fire house, and Charlie got her very own firemen hat!! I don’t have the words to express how happy Charlie was, or how extremely greatful and thankful i am to have such amazing people working hard everyday and yet still take the time to put a HUGE smile on Charlie’s face. Thank you so much Harlem Fire Department and Fireman Hunter! See more

REMINDER: If you purchased a ticket for the barbecue fundraiser pickup is tomorrow from 10:00-11:00AM at Fire Station 1, 110 W. Milledgeville Rd. (at the red light). This will be a drive thru pickup; please pay attention to those directing you into the apparatus bay and STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE! Thank you again to everyone who helped make this fundraiser a success!

During last night’s monthly Harlem City Council meeting HFD Chief Tripp Lonergan was presented with a donation in the amount of $1,000 from ATTIC Treasures. These funds will be used to purchase new CPR training manikins which will be used during the department’s periodic CPR training for all firefighters. Beginning first quarter of 2021, HFD will also begin offering quarterly CPR training to members of the public. We would like to thank Attic Treasures for this donation and everything they do for the Harlem community.

-FLASH FLOOD WARNING- Columbia County is currently under a Flash Flood Warning until 11:30 AM. Use caution when driving and around any areas where water collects.

Today we take a moment to remember the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Of the 2,753 lives lost at the World Trade Center that day, 343 were those of FDNY firefighters. We will never forget.

Fall 2020 fundraising part 2! HFD will be selling t shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness this year. Shirts are $20 and available In sizes youth M, adult XS-XXXL. All proceeds will he donated to breast cancer awareness. Contact any HFD firefighter or stop by Fire Station 1 from 8AM-5PM M-F to pre order. Deadline for ordering is September 14th. Thanks in advance for any and all support!

Fall is usually the season for fundraising at HFD and with the cancellation of the 2020 Oliver Hardy Festival, some of our traditional methods for raising money (food tent and golf cart shuttles) also had to be postponed. The decision was made to go ahead with the barbecue fundraiser on the same day as usual, and have orders picked up at the station. We have done this in the past with great success. Pickup will be October 3, 2020 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Fire Station 1, 110 W. Milledgeville Rd. Tickets can be purchased from any HFD firefighter or by stopping in Station 1 8 AM-5PM Monday through Friday. Proceeds will go directly to the Harlem Firefighters Fund, which was established to provide financial assistance to members of the community who experience an illness, house fire or other major life event requiring financial aid.

-STORM DAMAGE- HFD firefighters are currently working to clear a large tree from the roadway in the area of S. Fairview Dr. at W. Milledgeville Rd. Avoid the area if possible.

This past week the fire training portion of the Columbia County High School Basic Firefighter class reached completion. Congratulations to HFD Probationary Firefighters Patrick Flynn, Jackson Lonergan and Cameron Tiedeman on successfully passing the NPQ Firefighter 1 written and skills examinations. These young men are now able to participate as firefighters and pursue further training and certification.

This week our firefighters were treated to some great food from two area organizations. Nothing Bundt Cakes delivered a large amount of cupcakes that were enjoyed by our firefighters, and Impact Church - Harlem provided a barbecue supper for last night’s monthly supper meeting. Thank you so much for the showing of appreciation!

In April of this year HFD took delivery of brand new Scott self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This allowed the department to not only replace all in service SCBA units, but also donate the replaced units to other area departments who were in need. Three local departments received the donated equipment: - Town of Dearing Fire Department - City of Gibson/Glascock County Fire/EMA - City of Lincolnton Fire Department ... Each department received SCBA units, face pieces and cylinders, which will all aid in safer and more efficient operations for each department’s firefighters.

-STORM DAMAGE- HFD is currently on the scene of a large tree and power line down in the roadway at N. Hicks St. between N. Fairview Dr. and W. Boundary St. Avoid the area if possible.

-VEHICLE ACCIDENT- HFD is currently on the scene of a motor vehicle accident with injuries at the entrance to Campbell’s Crossing on Appling Harlem Rd. Avoid the area if possible.