Darlington Fire Department

TO REPORT A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY, CALL 911

Chief: Pat Cavanaugh
Assistant Chief, Safety Officer & Fire Marshal: Charles Bailey Jr.

Office: (843) 398-4013
Fax: (843) 398-4010

Site Address: 301 Orange Street
Email: darlingtoncityfd@gmail.com

>Fire Department Application

>Smoke Alarm Installation Application

>Fire Prevention Activity Request Form

Annual Toy Drive

Once again, the City of Darlington Fire and Police Departments will team up to support a worthy cause, our Annual Christmas Toy Drive, to bring a sparkle of Christmas joy to children in need in our community. To donate, make checks payable to DFD. Families can apply for assistance Nov. 1-30 at 301 Orange St.

Fire Department 2_Stone — Chief Jim Stone

Fire Department new truck — Fire Truck Dedication 2017

SOUND THE ALARM. SAVE A LIFE.

Home fires claim seven lives every day but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. That’s why the American Red Cross is rallying 27,000 volunteers to install 100,000 free smoke alarms nationwide during Sound the Alarm events. This spring, we’ll install free smoke alarms, share safety information in at-risk communities and fundraise to help families prepare for, respond to, and recover from home fires.

Join the American Red Cross to Sound the Alarm, a home fire safety and smoke alarm installation event in Darlington County at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 2. Location TBA. Register to volunteer here. https://www.redcross.org/local/south-carolina/about-us/news-and-events/events/sound-the-alarm-south-carolina.html

COMMON QUESTIONS

Can I burn trash in the City of Darlington?

NO. According to Section 70-6, It shall be unlawful for any person to burn trash, garbage or other refuse within the fire limits of the city.

Can I burn leaves in the City of Darlington?

NO. Normal residential yard trash and trimmings generated by the property owner or resident shall be picked up by the city sanitation department as scheduled by the mayor and council.

Limbs shall not exceed three inches in diameter and 3½ feet in length and shall be placed together along the edge of the street for pickup by the city but must be in separate piles from leaves, pine straw and grass clippings. Loose limbs exceeding the length and diameter above stated will not be picked up by the city and must be disposed of by the owner, occupant, contractor or vendor, including tree stumps.
Leaves, pine straw and grass clippings may be placed together along the edge of the street for pickup by the city but must be in separate piles from allowable limbs.

Are recreational fire pits allowed in the City of Darlington?

Yes. Recreational fire pits are allowed within the city limits. Contents to be burned must be branches, limbs, natural materials and cannot include trash or construction materials. A 55-gallon barrel does NOT constitute a recreational fire pit.

Can I shoot fireworks in the City of Darlington?

NO. It is illegal to discharge fireworks within the incorporated limits of the City.

How do I volunteer or join the fire department?

Prospective volunteer firefighters should download this application and submit to the Department along with a 10-year driving record, proof of insurance, and copies of any relevant training certificates. Members of the department must be age 18 or older. Those ages 14-18 are eligible to become Junior Firefighters and should submit the same application.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

American Red Cross	www.redcross.org	Local: 843-662-8121
Arson Hotline		1-800-CRIME-SC
Darlington County Fire Headquarters	137 N Center Rd. Hartsville	843-339-9098
Palmetto Rural Fire Department Headquarters	1304 E. McIver Rd. Darlington	843-393-0996
S.C. Forestry Commission	www.state.us.forest/	Call before you burn! 800-986-3742
State Fire Marshal’s Office	http://statefire.llr.sc.gov/	803-896-9800

FALSE ALARM RECOVERY FEES

False alarms create additional risks to public safety by diverting limited resources away from both real emergencies and normal activities. The purpose of this false alarm cost-recovery fees is to promote public safety by making alarm users in the City of Darlington directly responsible for preventing false alarms.

Alarm users are allowed two false alarm responses at no charge per calendar month. Additional charges are as follows:

False Alarm 1 and 2: No Charge
False Alarm 3, 4, and 5: $50 per response
False Alarm 6 and 7: $100 per response
False Alarm 8 and 9: $200 per response
False Alarm 10 or more: $500 per response
Failure to respond to the notifying public safety official within 30 minutes will result in a $100 charge regardless of the number of false alarm activations.

Fees collected are distributed to the cost recovery fund for the fire department and the capital improvement fund for the police department.

What is a False Alarm?

A False Alarm means the activation of any type of alarm system though inadvertence, electrical, or mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, improper maintenance, or the negligence of the owner, lessee, or anyone otherwise in control of the system, his employees, or agents, resulting in a response by City of Darlington public safety personnel. An alarm is FALSE when the responding public safety official determines there is no evidence of the existence of a condition or activity the alarm is designed to detect when the alarm is activated. Excluded from a false alarm are violent conditions of nature, other extraordinary conditions beyond the control of the alarm user, or situations of unauthorized tampering with an alarm system.

How to Appeal a False Alarm Charge

Residents and Businesses reserve the right to appeal to the City Manager in writing within 10 days of the date of notification of the charge. In most cases, you must provide supporting documentation along with your written statement for an exemption to be granted.

Payment

Payments are due within thirty (30) days. After 30 days, a late penalty of $25 is assessed and added to the bill. Checks should be made payable to City of Darlington, P.O. Drawer 57, Darlington, SC 29540. Mail Attention City Treasurer.