Darlington Fire Department Receives V-SAFE Grant for Third Consecutive Year

DARLINGTON, SC (Aug. 11, 2025) – The Darlington Fire Department recently received the Volunteer Strategic Assistance and Fire Equipment (V-SAFE) grant for the third consecutive year. The $14,050 grant provides the Darlington Fire Department with the funding to purchase new equipment that will help save lives.

The V-SAFE grant is awarded through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s Office of State Fire Marshall. To qualify for the grant, a chartered fire department’s staff must consist of at least 50% of volunteers. The Darlington Fire Department’s staff is made up of 57% of volunteers.

“The Darlington Fire Department is extremely thankful for its brave volunteers,” Darlington Fire Chief Pat Cavanaugh said. “Without our volunteers, it would be difficult to serve the residents of Darlington as effectively.”

Each year, the grant’s funding changes because the number of qualifying fire departments throughout the state also fluctuates. The V-SAFE grant doesn’t receive match funding, so the entire awarded amount directly benefits the City of Darlington.

“When our firefighters receive a call, they never know what they’re going to be challenged with until they arrive on the scene,” Chief Cavanaugh said. “The new equipment purchased through the V-SAFE grant provides our team with newer, lighter and more efficient tools to get the job done as quickly as possible because every minute counts.”

This year, the Darlington Fire Department purchased two unmanned BlitzFire nozzles, which allow firefighters to fight fires with less team members holding onto a water hose. Three pig head axes and multipurpose hooks were purchased as well. When a firefighter is picking away at a structure with a pig axe, the tool will have a higher chance of not getting stuck. Traditional axes were also purchased to replace old, worn-out ones.

With the grant funding, the Darlington Fire Department also purchased equipment that will help with extraction. The department’s new DeWalt K-12 saw will help firefighters cut through the sides of buildings while balancing on a ladder, and it’ll assist with vehicular accidents. A new glass cutter was also purchased to help extract individuals from vehicles as well.

If you would like to become a volunteer firefighter with the Darlington Fire Department, please contact Chief Cavanaugh at pcavanaugh@cityofdarlington.com or by calling 843-398-4013.

To learn more about the City of Darlington, visit cityofdarlington.com or call 843-398-4000.