Williford Fire/Rescue Station 27

05/28/2026

Emergency Response Summary �
On the morning of May 21, 2026,

Williford Fire & Rescue responded to a reported cardiac arrest within their service area.
Upon arrival, firefighters quickly assessed the situation and confirmed the patient was in cardiac arrest. Personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), until the arrival of Anderson County Paramedics.
A coordinated effort between Williford Fire & Rescue and Anderson County EMS ensured continuous, high-quality patient care. Crews worked seamlessly together to provide advanced medical support until a transport unit arrived on scene.
The patient was then transported to a local emergency department for further treatment. As of this release, the patient is alive and continuing to receive medical care.

On behalf of the Fire Chief and the Board of Directors, we proudly recognize and commend the exceptional teamwork and dedication demonstrated by all responding personnel, as well as the vital impact that rapid, coordinated emergency response has on improving patient outcomes.

Thank you
Assistant Chief John McCown
Firefighter Randy Bratcher
Firefighter/Chaplin Randy Creamer
Grove FD Captian Austin Kinley (who responded from his work office within the Williford Fire District)

05/21/2026

On the evening of May 5th, 2026, Williford Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a traumatic farm equipment accident that required swift action and teamwork.
Before emergency crews arrived, the quick thinking and decisive actions of Paxton Hatcher, Dale Fulton, and C**t Fulton made a critical difference. Using the resources they had on hand, they were able to control severe bleeding from a patient whose leg had become entangled in a tractor tiller. Their efforts helped stabilize the situation until Williford firefighters arrived with advanced medical equipment.
Once on scene, firefighters and paramedics worked together seamlessly to safely extricate the patient’s leg from the tiller. After extrication, crews immediately began patient packaging, preparing the individual for rapid transport via air to a trauma center.
This incident highlights the importance of teamwork, preparedness, and the courage of individuals willing to step in during critical moments. We commend everyone involved for their professionalism, quick response, and dedication to saving lives.

This incident was especially difficult for all involved, as the patient was a member of Williford Fire & Rescue.

As Fire Chief, I would like to personally thank and recognize these individuals on behalf of myself and the Williford Board of Directors for their outstanding actions.

Assistant Chief John McCown
Captain Ethan Haynie
Lt. Alex Wengerd
FF Dale Fulton
FF Josh Hawkins
FF Randy Creamer
FF Mike Binninger
FF Roger Jones
FF Marvin Woodward
JR FF Paxton Hatcher
JR FF C**t Fulton

05/20/2026

In a moment where many might panic, these young men stepped up and took action—truly making a difference and showing what real heroism looks like.

The members and board of directors couldn’t be anymore proud to have these two young men as part of our department.

Anderson County Council proudly recognizes Paxton Hatcher and C**t Fulton for their extraordinary courage and quick thinking during a traumatic emergency on Roberts Church Road.

At just 15 years old, these young Williford Fire Department affiliates stepped up in a life-threatening situation, using belts as tourniquets to help control severe bleeding until first responders arrived. Their calmness under pressure, resourcefulness, and selfless actions played a critical role in saving a life.

What makes their actions even more remarkable is that they were helping someone deeply connected to them — a family member and close friend. Their bravery is a powerful reminder that heroes are among us every day.

Anderson County is incredibly grateful for Paxton and C**t’s compassion, courage, and willingness to act when it mattered most. They represent the very best of our community, and we are honored to recognize them for their life-saving actions.

04/16/2026

NOTICE: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. A meeting of the Board of Directors will be held on April 25th at 9:00 a.m. at the Williford Fire Department, located at 3738 Highway 187 South, Anderson, SC 29626. This meeting is of particular importance as three board seats are open for election during this term, providing members with a significant opportunity to shape the organization's future direction and uphold professional standards. For those interested in serving the community or seeking additional information, please contact via email at [email protected].

04/16/2026

SC Forestry Commission to issue statewide burning ban; restriction on all outdoor burning goes into effect at 7 a.m. Friday

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a State Forester’s Burning Ban for all counties, effective at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17.

A State Forester’s Burning Ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including yard debris burning, prescribed burning, campfires, bonfires and other recreational fires in all unincorporated areas of the state.

Forestry Commission officials cite a particularly dangerous mix of elevated wildfire risk factors through the weekend that warrant limiting all ignitions in the interest of public safety.

Rapidly escalating drought conditions across the state, a critical decrease in relative humidities over the next several days and gusty winds that are expected to accompany an approaching cold front will combine to create extreme fire danger.

"When it’s this dry – energy release component values are at high-to-critical levels – we’re just as likely, if not more, to see wildfires that are fuel-driven rather than wind-driven. Add the other volatile conditions of increased wind and lower relative humidity, and it becomes an especially precarious situation,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. "These conditions not only increase the likelihood of wildfires igniting easily and spreading rapidly, but would also make them more difficult for firefighters to control.”

While the ban does not apply to fires used for the preparation of food or fires used in appropriate enclosures (portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas or permanent fire pits constructed of stone, masonry, metal or other noncombustible material that conforms with all applicable South Carolina fire codes), Forestry Commission officials urge the utmost caution burning outdoors under these exemptions.

Likewise, citizens should exercise extreme vigilance operating any equipment that could create sparks, avoid parking on dry grass and refrain from using fireworks.

The ban will stay in effect until further notice, which will come in the form of an official announcement from the Forestry Commission.

Shareable release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-StateForestersBurningBan-20260416.pdf

04/09/2026

Forestry Commission to lift Red Flag Fire Alert for remaining counties
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is lifting the Red Flag Fire Alert for counties in the Piedmont region of the state as well as Aiken and Barnwell counties, effective at 6 a.m. Friday, April 10.

The weather conditions that prompted the alert to remain in effect for these 21 counties Thursday, mainly low relative humidity and stronger-than-normal winds, are expected to improve throughout the weekend, beginning Friday.

Although the Forestry Commission is lifting its Red Flag Fire Alert, agency officials still urge extreme vigilance when burning outdoors; the lack of appreciable rain and worsening drought are expected to persist at least through April.

State law requires anyone planning to burn outdoors (outside of city limits) to notify the Forestry Commission in advance and take the proper precautions, including:
× clearing a firebreak around the burn area;
× having water and/or tools on standby to keep the fire contained;
× never leaving the burn unattended, staying with the fire until it is completely out, preferably with water.

Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire(s) to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Two types of public outdoor burning are permitted in South Carolina:

-Residential yard debris burning
State law requires citizens who live in unincorporated areas to notify the Forestry Commission before burning outdoors. In most cases, the law applies to burning leaves, limbs and branches that people clean up from their yards. Citizens who do live in city/town limits must still abide by any burning ordinances in their local jurisdictions. Citizens can make notification online by visiting scfc.gov/notify or by calling the toll-free notification number for the county in which they live, found here: scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/how-tonotify/.

-Prescribed burning
State law requires that you notify the Forestry Commission before burning or forestry, wildlife management or agricultural purposes. This includes burning for wildfire hazard reduction, brush control, endangered species management, wildlife habitat improvement, plant disease control, crop residue removal and preparation of land for planting trees or agricultural crops. All burning for forestry, wildlife and agriculture must comply with SC Smoke Management Guidelines. To make notification, regardless of county, please call (800) 777-3473.

04/07/2026

Forestry Commission issuing statewide Red Flag Fire Alert
COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission is issuing a statewide Red Flag Fire Alert, effective at 6 a.m. Wednesday, April 8.

The alert is being issued to strongly discourage people from burning outdoors when weather conditions present an elevated risk of wildfire.

In addition to a widespread deficit of rainfall that continues to intensify drought over much of the state, Wednesday’s forecast includes gusty winds higher than 20 mph and relative humidities under 25% in places.

Because current weather conditions are very conducive to fires escaping easily and spreading rapidly, anyone considering outdoor burning should take extra precautions if they still choose to burn under a Red Flag Fire Alert. Those who have burned recently should return to monitor their burn areas and ensure the dry conditions don’t cause any rekindling.

“Wildfire potential is always higher this time of year, and our use of the Red Flag Fire Alert a few weeks ago made a huge difference in the number of new ignitions,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “This warning is a great tool that encourages citizens to voluntarily postpone any such burning until the alert is lifted. We’re simply asking for people to respect the weather, be smart and stay safe.”

Adding to the danger, particularly in the western part of the state, are the heavy fuel loads that remain in our forests from Hurricane Helene. Not only can these downed, drying trees and other fuels act as kindling, increasing the risk of wildfire ignition and spread, but they also are likely to impede firefighters’ access, adversely impacting response capability.

Although a Red Flag Fire Alert does not ban outdoor burning, it does trigger certain county or local ordinances that restrict outdoor fires, so residents should contact their local fire departments to check whether such restrictions apply in their areas. The alert will remain in effect until lifted by the Commission, whose fire managers will continuously monitor the situation.

Press release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Advisory-RedFlagFireAlert-260408.pdf

03/30/2026

SC Forestry Commission to lift statewide burning ban

COLUMBIA—The South Carolina Forestry Commission will lift the statewide burning ban at 7 a.m. Monday, March 30.

The extremely low relative humidities and gusty winds that prompted the March 27 ban have subsided, although elevated drought conditions over much of the state warrant the need to be extremely vigilant when burning outdoors.

While rain chances increase later this week, it is not expected to be enough to improve the drought status significantly. Above-average fire danger and activity is still expected through April, which has historically seen the most damaging and costliest wildfires in South Carolina. Anyone who burns outdoors and allows their fire(s) to escape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

“Just because the burning ban is being lifted, it does not mean the fire danger is gone. Most of the state is still very dry, and the risk of fires igniting easily remains. Anyone who has conducted a burn recently should continue to monitor it closely because of the potential for it to reignite,” said SCFC Fire Chief Darryl Jones. “If you choose to burn outdoors, you should be extremely careful and take all necessary precautions. Any fire you start is your responsibility even if it rekindles and spreads days later.”

Citizens who may plan to conduct outdoor burning of residential yard debris or prescribed burns must still notify the Forestry Commission before doing so.

Residential yard debris burning
State law requires citizens who live in unincorporated areas to notify the Forestry Commission before burning outdoors. In most cases, the law applies to burning leaves, limbs and branches that people clean up from their yards. Citizens who do live in city/town limits must still abide by any burning ordinances in their local jurisdictions.
Citizens can make notification online by visiting scfc.gov/notify or by calling the toll-free notification number for the county in which they live, found here: scfc.gov/protection/fire-burning/how-to-notify/.

Prescribed burning
State law requires that you notify the Forestry Commission before burning for forestry, wildlife management or agricultural purposes. This includes burning for wildfire hazard reduction, brush control, endangered species management, wildlife habitat improvement, plant disease control, crop residue removal and preparation of land for planting trees or agricultural crops. All burning for forestry, wildlife and agriculture must comply with SC Smoke Management Guidelines.
To make notification, regardless of county, please call (800) 777-3473.

Read the full release:https://www.scfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Advisory-BurningBanLifted-20260330.pdf

03/25/2026

Great people! All 3 serve their communities in multiple facets!