Public Safety History

Long before the days of water mains and fire hydrants, Aiken had a fire department known as "the bucket brigade," and each citizen with a fire bucket was a volunteer firefighter.

The first fire apparatus was a steamer engine bought from Augusta in 1880. This was drawn by hand with ropes. Mr. Chris Wessels was the engineer in charge of the engine and William Turnbull was acting chief.

The engine and hose, which were carried on a two-wheel jumper, were housed on Main Street at City Hall and the guard house. Water supplies were limited to cisterns that were located in a few store yards and on Main Street.

In 1887, the first appointed Fire Chief was H. G. Warneke and Assistant Chief was John Staubes. The Chief and his assistant served without pay and volunteer workers at fires were paid for helping extinguish the blaze.

In 1888, improvements were made in the fire departments. Another cistern was built at the intersection of York and Richland Avenues; a second hose reel with four wheels was purchased; and a hand pump was bought for the African-American citizens in town and housed next to the school for African-American students on York Street. There was much rivalry between the two companies and City Council gave a reward to the first Fire Company to arrive and put water on the fire.

The first fire alarm, erected in 1889, was a steel bell, which was purchased and installed on Main Street. That same year, a pole was attached to the engine so the mules used by the street department could pull the engine.

An artesian well was drilled in 1894 and water works consisting of mains, hydrants, pumping stations, and a reservoir was built. These new additions provided more fire protection for the citizens of Aiken.

Under the direction of Fire Chief H. E. Aldrich, in 1920 the first paid volunteer fire department was organized, and its members received monthly wages based on the number of fires they attended.

The first auto apparatus, a hose car, was purchased in 1913, and in 1921 the first pumper, an American Lafrance, was purchased. A second Lafrance Triple Combination pumper was placed in operation in 1929.

With the announcement of the Savannah River Plant coming to Aiken in 1950, the fire department had to make some expansions in a hurry. With financial assistance from the Federal Government, and additional pumper was purchased.

Under the direction of Chief Frank Harley, who was appointed Volunteer Chief in 1955 and full time Chief in 1960, the department purchased its first ladder truck, a 75 foot Howe. The ladder truck, along with a 1953 Howe pumper and a 1954 Howe Custom Convertible pumper, was housed at the two-story fire station located at 214 Park Avenue, which is the current home of the City offices. A 1943 Chevrolet pumper (which was given to the City when the U. S. Air Base was closed on Highway 1) along with an army surplus brush fire truck was housed at the newly constructed Substation #2 on Silverbluff Road.

The first fire station was located on Main Street next the police guard shack. Later it was relocated on the 100 block of Newberry Street South, in a wooden Building behind the Eubank's home. In the 1920s, the fire station was moved to Park Avenue. The station, which was located next to the movie theater, caught fire on 1932. The fire completely destroyed the theater and the fire station. Luckily, the volunteer firefighters were able to rescue their fire equipment before it was lost in the blaze. In 1936, the City through a Works Projects Administration (W.P.A.) built a new fire station and police headquarters that backed up to each other on Park Avenue. It was located on the site where City Hall and the Conference Center are now located.

With the foresight of City Manager Roland H. Windham, the department began making changes toward a Public Safety concept. In 1964, Inspector James C. Busbee was appointed as the Fire Chief. The fire department began to hire more personnel and by 1967 the fire department had 15 full-time members and 39 cross-trained police officers that would assist the firefighters.

Busbee was appointed Director of Public Safety in 1970. The Department then began upgrading its equipment. The City purchased a 1000 gpm Howe pumper in 1970, a 1250 gpm Lafrance pumper in 1971, a 1250 Mack pumper in 1973, and a 1250 gpm pumper in 1974. A state-of-the-art training facility was constructed in 1979, complete with a two-story burn building, 100 foot training tower, drafting pit and an indoor firing range.

On July 1, 1975, the Department formally combined its fire and police personnel into a 64 member Public Safety Department and moved into its new headquarters station on Laurens Street.

In 1983, the city received a Class 2 ISO rating, which was the first Class 2 rating in South Carolina and the first Class 2 rating of a Public Safety Department in the nation.

During the next fifteen years, while keeping up with the rapid growth in the City limits and protecting its Class 2 rating, the Department expanded. In 1980, a 1250 gpm pumper was purchased. In 1989, along with the addition of Substations #3 and #4, two 1250 gpm FMC pumpers and a 100 foot LTI platform truck was purchased. In 1990, another FMC 1250 gpm pumper was added. In 1993, a fire/rescue service truck was purchased. Two new 4X4 brush trucks were also added during this period.

Today, the Public Safety Department with its 89 sworn personnel, 17 non-sworn members and 24 volunteer firefighters maintains a high level of professional training and is committed to providing the citizens with the best possible fire and police services.

In fiscal year 1995, the fire division responded to 454 calls, which included 62 building fires 58 woods fires, 59 motor vehicle fires, and 261 calls for service. The police division answered 22,282 calls for service.

The Department's community policing, prevention and educational programs continue to receive state and national recognition.