Station 27 is the home station for the Horry County Fire Rescue Wildfire Team. The concept for a wildfire team began in 1987. In order to improve safety and effectiveness during the suppression of vegetation fires, it was recognized that a special team be formed whose training would exceed the departments general level of wildland fire training.
The Team currently consists of personnel with various expertise, some of them bringing previous WUI experience from the western United States. Team members are trained to meet or exceed standards set by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The main purpose of the team is to provide an increased level of skill and safety to the overall wildland fire incidents within the county. The Team is currently operating with nine (9) brush units, one (1) support vehicle, two (2) ATV’s for wildland search and rescue, a saw crew for fire and severe weather details, and a crew of Red Card firefighters to assist with backfires and tractor plow support with the South Carolina Forestry Commission.
Training is one of our teams biggest priorities. We feel that the more our personnel are trained, the better service we can provide to the citizens of our county. The Team members have traveled to different academies across the southeast to gain skills in more advanced classes such as saws, portable pumps, helitack operations and wildland engine operations. As with most departments, the busy time of year is winter for brush fires. During these months, Horry County Fire Rescue averages 6 – 10 brush fires per day. These are handled by each station and the brush trucks and Wildfire Team members that are scattered throughout the county.