| Beech Island Fire Department Then and Now... |
The citizens of Beech Island have come to rely on
Beech Island Fire Department for its protective
services for over 50 years. Officially established in
1956, the fire department covers approximately 69
square miles in Aiken County, making it one of the
largest fire departments in the area.
Beech Island Fire Department’s beginnings were
modest, to say the least. Located in the heart of the
small community, the first headquarters was
established with a tin shed for a bay and a wooden
building out back that served as sleeping quarters.
The first fire engine was a 1942 Chevrolet Tanker
with a front mount pump. The truck had a 500-
gallon tank and was purchased via a military
surplus sale. The department had an operating
budget of $143.00 when it opened.
The fire department moved into its current
headquarters down the street in 1965. It housed
two fire engines and one ambulance unit. The
ambulance service was discontinued a few years
later due to increased liability. The station has
undergone several renovations throughout the
years. A third bay was added in 1985 to house
larger fire trucks that the department had
purchased at the time.
Seeing the need for faster response to the growing
outlying areas within the district, Beech Island Fire
Department constructed Station 2 in 1991. The
station covers the western side of the district.
Station 2 carries a high load of calls for the district.
It also serves as mutual-aid to several departments
in the neighboring areas.
Beech Island Fire Department built Station 3 soon
after in 1993. The construction of Station 3 allowed
every property owner in Beech Island to be within 5
square miles of a station. That planning allowed
homeowners to see big savings in homeowners’
insurance. Station 3 covers the southeastern side of
the district as well as serves as a mutual-aid
company to the town of Jackson.
Through hard work and good business sense, the
Beech Island Fire Department has expanded to
meet the needs of the growing community.
Beech Island Fire Department for its protective
services for over 50 years. Officially established in
1956, the fire department covers approximately 69
square miles in Aiken County, making it one of the
largest fire departments in the area.
Beech Island Fire Department’s beginnings were
modest, to say the least. Located in the heart of the
small community, the first headquarters was
established with a tin shed for a bay and a wooden
building out back that served as sleeping quarters.
The first fire engine was a 1942 Chevrolet Tanker
with a front mount pump. The truck had a 500-
gallon tank and was purchased via a military
surplus sale. The department had an operating
budget of $143.00 when it opened.
The fire department moved into its current
headquarters down the street in 1965. It housed
two fire engines and one ambulance unit. The
ambulance service was discontinued a few years
later due to increased liability. The station has
undergone several renovations throughout the
years. A third bay was added in 1985 to house
larger fire trucks that the department had
purchased at the time.
Seeing the need for faster response to the growing
outlying areas within the district, Beech Island Fire
Department constructed Station 2 in 1991. The
station covers the western side of the district.
Station 2 carries a high load of calls for the district.
It also serves as mutual-aid to several departments
in the neighboring areas.
Beech Island Fire Department built Station 3 soon
after in 1993. The construction of Station 3 allowed
every property owner in Beech Island to be within 5
square miles of a station. That planning allowed
homeowners to see big savings in homeowners’
insurance. Station 3 covers the southeastern side of
the district as well as serves as a mutual-aid
company to the town of Jackson.
Through hard work and good business sense, the
Beech Island Fire Department has expanded to
meet the needs of the growing community.
The original members
rolled the fire truck from
this modest garage in
1956.
rolled the fire truck from
this modest garage in
1956.
Located downtown,
Headquarters protects
major industries in the
area such as
Kimberly-Clark and
SCE&G.
Headquarters protects
major industries in the
area such as
Kimberly-Clark and
SCE&G.
Station 2 stays busy
protecting citizens
and helping other
departments.
protecting citizens
and helping other
departments.
Station 3 covers
Redcliffe Elementary
and valuable natural
preserves in the area.
Redcliffe Elementary
and valuable natural
preserves in the area.
BEECH ISLAND
FIRE DEPARTMENT
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Servicing the Public Since 1956
This Dodge is the first
new fire truck Beech
Island ever bought
new fire truck Beech
Island ever bought
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