GOOSE CREEK, S.C. — “Three months ago, we would have lost a life. We would have had to travel several miles, instead it was half a mile,” said Goose Creek Mayor Michael Heitzler. “We would have lost that man. We would have never gotten there in time.”
The Mayor says the close proximity of trained firefighters and medical personnel of the Goose Creek Fire Department at the city’s new Station 3, at 535 Old Mount Holly Road, helped save a man’s life.
The mayor says the man had experienced a medical emergency.
“It makes me feel lucky. We had the station here, and we had the people to go do it. They shocked him and brought him back,” said Mayor Heitzler.
The fire department unveiled Station 3 to the public Thursday evening, with a guided tour by firefighters, free food and drinks, and goodies for children.
“To be able to see our department grow and expand our services is a great morale booster. We know we are doing everything we can for the community,” said firefighter Bob Ulrich.
Four-year-old Max and six-and a half-year-old Maddy McNicoll were excited to checkout their daddy’s new workplace.
“It’s awesome,” said Maddy. “Really excited!”
“It’s cool,” said Max.
The family moved from New Jersey for their father Randy’s job at the Goose Creek Fire Department.
“We just love it here. We definitely will never leave. It’s been a great opportunity for him,” said wife Melissa McNicoll.
The 9,600 square foot station sits on a little more than four acres of land and includes a a report station office, kitchen and dining area, sitting room, exercise room, laundry room, sleeping quarters, a captain’s room, study, and a truck bay with a brand new fire truck. The building is state of the art the chief says, built to withstand wind and seismic forces.
The department brought on 12 new firefighters, though the department did mix existing and new firefighters to staff the facility. The Chief says all the firefighters are crossed trained as EMTs and paramedics.
“We have a diverse group from all across the country. We had 12 openings and more than 200 applications. We were able to pick the cream of the crop,” said Goose Creek Fire Chief Steve Chapman.
A four-firefighter “engine company” will work a 24 hour shift, then the next company will take over for the next 24 hour shift. The station will serve the northern area of Goose Creek including: the business district near Lowes and Walmart, and large residential area of Persimmon Hill and Oak Creek.
“This area was more than two and a half miles from our existing Station 1, and this closes that gap. It gets us in a very populated area,” said Chief Chapman. “This reduces our response time to that area dramatically.”
The fire chief estimates the entire investment to have cost more than $4-million.
There are currently 61 firefighters employed by the Goose Creek Fire Department. The next project for the department is a new headquarters building currently under construction on Button Hall Avenue next to existing Department of Public Works facility.
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