The City of Greer Fire Department is mourning the death of Lieutenant Taylor Graham, a dedicated firefighter, leader and public servant who died after a courageous battle with cancer. He was known for his professionalism, strong work ethic and unwavering commitment to both his fellow firefighters and the community he served. Funeral arrangements have been announced.
Three employees from the Greer Fire Department, Capt. Derrick Davis, Capt. Brian Collins, and Lt. Chase Bradshaw, have been selected to attend the South Carolina State Firefighters' Association Officer Academy. The program is limited to 25 people per cycle and includes physical fitness drills, projects, guest speakers, and live burn evaluations. The Greer Fire Department now has six employees who have been invited to the program.
The Greer Fire Department has received two new fire engines. The two new Pierce-model engines are equipped with a 2000 GPM Waterous pump, 750-gallon tank and a low hose bed for improved safety and efficiency. One of the new engines will be assigned to Station 41, and the other will be assigned to Station 97 until the Gross Meadow Road Station is opened.
The Greer Fire Department responded to a structure fire with entrapment at 213 Mason Street on Jan. 30. Three victims were rescued from the residence and taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for treatment. The fire was brought under control with no firefighter injuries reported. The cause of the fire was determined to be a space heater, and the incident remains under investigation.
The Greer Fire Department in South Carolina has become the second department in the state to receive the Sexual Assault Forensic Excellence (SAFE) designation, which is given to state agencies that prioritize trauma-informed, survivor-centered care for sexual assault victims. In order to earn the recognition, all of the department's suppression staff attended a two-hour training with the South Carolina Victims Assistance Network. The SAFE designation system was implemented in April 2022, and aims to establish a statewide standard of care for sexual assault victims.
The Greer Fire Department responded to a house fire in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 11. The fire was reportedly started by a kerosene heater. No injuries were reported, and the two occupants who were home at the time of the fire were able to escape.
Amber Altier, a paramedic firefighter with Greer Fire Department, discusses her career, family and hobbies. “Service Spotlights” is a GreerNews series highlighting employees at the Greer Fire and Police Departments.
The Greer Police Department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), joining the city's fire department in achieving the highest standards in their profession. Only 1,300 of the 18,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide are CALEA accredited. The department plans to leverage the accreditation to recruit the most qualified people to begin careers in the force.
The Greer Police Department held its annual National Night Out event, offering pizza and free prizes to local families. The event aims to strengthen connections between law enforcement and the community, with officers meeting and having dinner with residents at four locations. The Greer Fire Department also participated, talking to residents and showing off their fire trucks.
