Fire Department

Karl Ford Fire Chief

315 N. Lafayette Dr

Sumter, S.C. 29150
Phone: 803-436-2600
Fax: 803-436-2604
Email this Department

 

24 Hours a day

Fire Chief	Karl Ford
Assistant Chief	Ernie Dollard

The Sumter Fire Department has the goals of protecting lives, emergency incident-stabilization, and property conservation throughout the County of Sumter.

The Fire Department strives to be a leader to our citizens in providing excellent fire service today and into the future, promoting professional goals and standards through fire prevention, training, and fire suppression activities.

Mission Statement:
It is recognized and understood by the leadership and personnel of the Sumter Fire Department, it is our obligation and responsibility to provide protection for Sumter City and County from fire and other associated emergencies, be mentally and professionally prepared to stabilize the incidents encountered, and to always be aware of and to conserve any and all property. And to be a leader of the fire service into the future by setting and achieving goals and standards through fire prevention, inspections, training, and fire suppression.

Sumter County Fire Department History

FIRE PREVENTION

There is a constant, ongoing commitment to reduce fire deaths and injuries in the Sumter area.  The Department's personnel go into schools, churches, civic groups, and any place necessary where we can address these needs.

FIRE INSPECTIONS
Chief Inspector is Robbie Rickard rrickard@sumtersc.gov(link sends e-mail)
Tammy Tolbert ttolbert@sumtersc.gov

The Department has a proactive, aggressive inspection division that addresses the need for updated fire codes and enforces the fire codes and life safety codes in place today.

FIRE SAFETY TIPS

RECRUITMENT & TRAINING

The training program of the Sumter Fire Department exceeds the modern standards of professional training utilizing instructors inside the Department (Company Officers), the South Carolina Fire Academy, the National Fire Academy, and many other sources of education.

SUPPRESSION
Personnel perform duties under a Fire Company type operation, utilizing the unity of command, whereby every Member answers to one (1) Supervisor. This supports the span of control of one (1) supervisor to no more than four (4) members.

STAFFING
The Sumter Fire Department has personnel as follows:

• 1 Chief
• 1 Assistant Chief
• 2 Administrative Assistants
• 5 Division Chiefs
• 3 Battalion Chiefs
• 1 Logistics Officer
• 3 Training and Recruitment
• 16 Captains
• 12 Lieutenants
• 239 Volunteers

ISO (INSURANCE SERVICES OFFICE) RATING
The City of Sumter and the area known as Tax District #1 carries an ISO rating of class 1.
The rural portion of Sumter County known as Tax District #2 carries an ISO rating of class 4.