News and Announcements

Conway, South Carolina-Horry County Fire Rescue is holding a smoke alarm blitz, this Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This event was previously scheduled in December but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Firefighters will be going door-to-door installing smoke detectors in four locations around Horry County. Message boards were posted in the communities earlier this week to let local residents know about tomorrow’s event.

“Smoke detectors save lives, and we are committed to ensuring the fire and life safety of Horry County residents,” said Horry County Fire Rescue Chief Joseph Tanner. “The smoke alarm blitz has been a very successful program here, and we will continue to host these and other fire safety events in our community.”

Each of Horry County’s four battalions will be working at four different locations—

Battalion 1: Woodridge Mobile Home Park off Mineola Avenue in Little River

Battalion 2: Backwoods Mobile Home Park off Peachtree Rd. in Socastee

Battalion 3: Saddlebrook Mobile Home Park off Long Avenue Extension

Battalion 4: Chase Street off Hwy 917

Residents who would like to request a smoke alarm can fill out the online request form here.

Horry County, South Carolina - Did you know, in less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire? Your risk of injury or death in a home fire changes with age. If you have young children or older adults living in your home, they may need your help to stay safe. Here are some important ways to keep your home and your loved ones safe from fire.

Fire Safety If You Smoke

• Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths for adults 65 and over. It is also the third leading cause of fire injuries for older adults
• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or while under the influence of medication or alcohol.
• Use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

• Before you throw out your cigarette butts and ashes, make sure they are completely cool. Put them in water or a can that is filled with sand.
• Check furniture and places where people smoke for smoldering cigarette butts and ashes—especially before going to bed.
• Never smoke where medical oxygen is used, even if it is turned off.
• Keep smoking materials, including lighters and cigarettes, up high and out of the reach of children. Use child safety locks where you store your smoking materials.

Fire Safe Cooking

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires in America. Many older adults also experience burn-related injuries during cooking. Prevent fires and burns by being watchful and alert when you cook.

• Don’t cook if you are sleepy, have consumed alcohol, or have taken medicine or drugs that make you drowsy.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Keep cooking surfaces clean and free from anything that can catch fire.
• Never lean over a lit burner.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves while cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire if it touches a gas flame or an electric burner.
• Check the kitchen after you finish cooking. Make sure the oven, burners, and other appliances are off.

• If a fire starts, stay calm and get out. Once out, call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or a neighbor’s telephone. Have an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your house where first responders can see you.

Practice Electrical Safety

Older homes are more likely to catch fire from electrical causes than newer homes. Older wiring may not have the capacity to safely handle newer appliances and equipment and may not have updated safety features.

• Electrical work should only be done by a licensed electrician.
• Check all electrical appliances often. Replace cracked, damaged, and loose electrical cords.
• Replace outlets if plugs do not fit snugly or the outlet does not accept plugs with one blade larger than the other.
• Major appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• Plug only one high-wattage appliance into an outlet at a time, even if the outlet has space for two plugs.
• Avoid using extension cords. Have a licensed electrician determine if additional outlets are needed.
• Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) shut off electricity when a dangerous situation occurs. Have a licensed electrician install them in your home.
• Find reasons for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers. Have a licensed electrician inspect and correct the problem.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or light fixture.

Every year in America nearly 3,000 people die in home fires. Many of these people die in homes that do not have working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms warn you and your family when there is a fire. They can save your life!

As always, if there is a fire emergency, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible and remain outdoors. Never return inside a burning building to retrieve an item.

Conway, South Carolina – Joseph Huffman, will become Horry County’s new Assistant County Administrator of Public Safety. Huffman has been the City Manager of Pascagoula, Mississippi, since 2011 and is scheduled to begin work in Horry County on May 22.

“We welcome Joseph to Horry County as he brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous government experience in Mississippi and North Carolina,” stated County Administrator Chris Eldridge. “Joseph will be a strong and solid manager for our organization, and we are excited he is joining our team.”

Under the Public Safety Division, Huffman will oversee the following: police, fire/ems, emergency management and E911 as well as being the liaison with several other elected and appointed officials to include the Coroner, Sheriff, Magistrates, Public Defender, and the Solicitor.

Huffman was chosen from among 153 applicants for the position.  Huffman was the City Manager of Pascagoula, MS, for the past five years and was responsible for all operations of a full-service coastal municipality. Prior to Pascagoula, Huffman was a city manager throughout North Carolina to include the City of Goldsboro (2005-2011), City of Laurinburg (1999-2005), City of Havelock (1994-1999), and was also a corrections officer/sergeant at the State of North Carolina Department of Corrections (1981-1989).

Huffman received his Masters of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolilna.

Conway, South Carolina –Due to improved conditions and effective immediately, the outdoor burning ban for unincorporated Horry County has been lifted. Horry County Fire Rescue will continue to monitor conditions and may reimpose the ban at a later date as conditions warrant.

Horry County Government has a policy allowing it to institute an outdoor burning ban whenever there's a statewide red flag alert or if weather conditions appear conducive to wildfires. 

For more information, contact Horry County Fire Rescue at (843) 915-5190.