UPDATE:
OCES personnel located Mr. Gonzalez at 1145 this a.m. near the Cainbrake access on Lake Jocassee. He was Ok and reunited with his family. OCES would like to thank everyone who shared our post , to the media for getting the info out and to the callers who provided info on his location.Missing Hiker on Foothills Trail. Richard Gonzalez, 27 YO male approx. 6ft tall and 175lbs. Last seen on the trail between Nicholson Ford & Burrell’s Ford access. At that time he was wearing a black shirt and black shorts with a green backpack. Please contact OCES @911 or 864-638-4222 with info.
Missing Hiker on Foothills Trail. Richard Gonzalez, 27 YO male approx. 6ft tall and 175lbs. Last seen on the trail between Nicholson Ford & Burrell’s Ford access. At that time he was wearing a black shirt and black shorts with a green backpack. Please contact OCES @911 or 864-638-4222 with info.
Prayers 👼🙏👼🙏 Following
Following. Prayer for safe return.
Prayers
Prayers
Prayers
Prayers
Prayers
Update please
South Carolina State Firefighters' AssociationLeadership Institute is accepting registration until August 31 at 5PM. The Leadership Institute is a 12-month leadership development and educational process in an executive level environment emphasizing communications and group project-based skills. Our alumni have gone on to serve at the state and local levels. To learn more about the program and to apply, visit scfirefighters.org/programs/leadership-institute.
During the month of June and July, Oconee County offered several classes between June 8th and July 13th. During the five-week program students completed the following:
10 students completed Recruit Fire Fighter 1: This class is a total of 140 hours, this course takes the students to NFPA 1001 Firefighter 1 level. Subjects include: building construction, ropes and knots, forcible entry, ventilation, water supply, salvage, overhaul, communications, fire prevention and community risk reduction.
4 students completed Hazardous Materials Awareness: This class is a total of 8 hours, this course provides knowledge needed to protect firefighters, and others at hazardous materials incidents. Subjects include hazardous materials identification, managing the incident, personal protective clothing, terrorism and other criminal activities.
22 students completed Hazardous Materials Operations: This class is a total of 32 hours, subjects include introduction to properties and hazards of hazardous materials, identification, incident management elements, strategic goals and tactical objectives, personal protective equipment, contamination and decontamination.
18 students completed Basic Auto Extrication: This class is a total of 16 hours, this course addresses incident management, vehicle science & anatomy, extrication equipment, and techniques for passenger vehicles, tool familiarization, vehicle stabilization techniques for passenger vehicles, vehicle glass, door, and roof removal as well as dashboard displacement.
14 students completed Firefighter 2: This class is a total of 51 hours, subjects included incident management, building collapse and special rescue, hose tools and appliances, hydrant flow and operability, fire detection and alarm systems, fire cause, pre-incident planning, reports and communications, and coordinating fire attack.
There was also a night time offering for students to attend Firefighter 1 at Townville Fire Department where 5 Oconee Firefighters completed Firefighter 1 during the month of June.
In addition to all of the above we were able to continue the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and the 1197 Firefighter 2 offering for the seniors of the Hamilton Career and Technology Center Fire/EMS program.
Three EMT students completed 80 hours to finish up the EMT program and all were successful on completing their final written exam and NREMT skills. Wish them luck as they will be taking the NREMT written exam soon.
Four students from the Hamilton Career Center completed Firefighter 2 skills and challenged the IFSAC Fire 2 exam where all were successful in completing.
This totaled 3,819 man-hours during five weeks of training. This consisted of both volunteer and paid members from Oconee County, Pickens County, Greenville County, Spartanburg County, Anderson County and Jasper County.
Thanks to the South Carolina Fire Academy, Upstate EMS, Oconee PRISMA EMS, Oconee Emergency Services, Hamilton Career Center and all if the individual departments that had a hand in making this possible and supporting the Training Division over the years. Finally, a special Thanks to the instructors that worked several long days and dedicated countless hours to ensuring the best possible experience for the students.
Congratulations to all of the students and thank you for enduring the heat and working hard over the last few weeks. It was a pleasure having all of you in class and we wish you the best and many years of service.
Three unique training opportunities from a great instructor and it’s free! The online presentations can be watched and your overall from the comfort of your favorite quite spot.
statefire.llr.sc.gov/scfa/pdf/2020/prerecorded%20online%20training%20ad.pdf
statefire.llr.sc.gov
City of Walhalla Fire DepartmentCity Fire was dispatched to a possible ankle fracture this morning on the Yellow Branch Falls trail. Engine 52, Truck5, and Chief 5 responded. Additional Responders arrived and assisted the patient out of the woods to the awaiting ems unit at the command post. There were no further injuries. This is the second weekend in a row we have had a rescue incident at Yellow Branch. Please use caution when visiting these natural resources. We thank everyone that assisted today, your help makes us successful. In addition to Walhalla, Mountain Rest Fire Department Station 4, Mountain Rest Rescue, Long Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Prisma Health EMS, and Oconee County Emergency Services responded. City of Seneca Fire Department thank you for covering us again.
While visiting our many wild & wonderful parks & trails, please follow these safety tips! Thank You Fox Carolina News for the report!
m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=ugibOHNurWI#menuCarrie Weimer with details on hiking safety during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 24, 2020)
The Oconee County Chamber of Commerce recently held a discussion with LLR Director Emily Farr and State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones. Both S.C. LLR and State Fire play a significant role in making SC, and Oconee, a safer place to live and play.LLR Director Emily Farr, left, and State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones, right, chatted with Oconee County Chamber of Commerce this morning about the mission of LLR’s State Fire and the impact of COVID-19.
us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/65VSN-3asVhJRbPQ1nuBQ6cmWbX4X6a82nId-vEOyE2dHNIQ0dVzGxD4ar0JbSxv
Multiple Agencies working together to protect and serve the citizens and the visitors of our great county! One County, One Mission!Another day on the mountain. City Fire was dispatched to an injured hiker on the Yellow Branch Trail. Upon arrival of Truck 5, Engine 52, and Chief 5 it was determined that a significant rescue would be needed. Additional resources were requested. The injured hiker was near the falls and took some time to get to. Teams used a wheel and basket to transport the injured hiker to the command post and awaiting EMS unit. After several hours the incident concluded with the injured hiker successfully extricated and no personnel injured. Many thanks to all that assisted and to Mountain Rest Fire Department Station 4, Prisma Health EMS, and Oconee County Emergency Services your help made this another successful incident. Special thanks to City of Seneca Fire Department for covering our station while on this.
Join us for Day 3 of SC Virtual Fire-Rescue, link is below. I am sure today will not disappoint as the past two days have been great. We look forward to seeing you shortly!#VFR20 Day 3 w/ reports from #SCSFA Executive Committee, @SCStateFM, Executive Director @scfirecharlie, 2020 Memorial & our final instructor @chieflasky Pride and Ownership The Volunteer Firefighter: Defining Commitment. Join us bit.ly/VFRDay3
Virtual Fire-Rescue Day 2 starts in just a few minutes! A great day of training from incredibly talented instructors. Click the link below to join in!
firerescuesc.org/virtual/
Virtual Conference 2020 - Fire Rescue SC 2020
firerescuesc.org
On behalf of President Keith Minick and the Executive Board of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, we invite you to the 2020 Virtual Fire-Rescue, June 11-13, 2020.Have you registered? Incredible line up for this weeks Virtual Fire-Rescue.
firerescuesc.org/2020-registration/
2020 Virtual Conference Registration - Fire Rescue SC 2020
firerescuesc.org
Oconee County will be offering several SCFA courses coming up over the next few weeks. These are open enrollment classes. This is a daytime recruit school.
1155 Recruit Firefighter 1 starts 6/8/20 and ends 6/26/20
3330 Auto Extrication starts 6/29/20 and ends 6/30/20
2727 Haz-Mat Awareness 7/1/20
2728 Haz-Mat Operations starts 7/2/20 and ends 7/7/20
1154 Firefighter 2 starts 7/9/20 and ends 7/16/20
These classes will be held at HQ 216 Emergency Lane, Westminster SC from 8am-6pm Monday through Friday.
Any questions contact Brady Norris (864) 723-0013 or via email bnorris@oconeesc.com
Over the last year the Hamilton Career Center Fire and EMS program has been busy. In total they have completed over 6 thousand individual hours of training combined. The Career and Technology offers students who wish to learn about a career in Fire & EMS the opportunity to gain their certification as an EMR, Firefigher 1 & 2 and EMT. This year CTC had 6 students complete their 1196 and 1197 program and become certified as IFSAC Firefigher 1 and are currently preparing to challenge IFSAC Firefighter 2 . In addition 19 students completed Emergency Medical Responder and 9 students are finishing up the EMT program over the next couple of weeks. Wish them all luck as they prepare for these tests. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication. Also a special Thanks to the Hamilton Career Center for this opportunity, this would not be possible without the support of the local Fire Departments and EMS in Oconee County. Also Thank you to Upstate EMS and fellow instructors for giving up your time for these students, and finally Larry Greer who has built this program and made it what it is today. We look forward to next year.
Congratulations class of 2020, job well done.
Congratulations to you all !!!
Congratulations to all!!!!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations
South Carolina State Firefighters' FoundationWe know you've been waiting and now it's time - REGISTRATION IS OPEN for the Virtual Fire-Rescue 2020 Conference firerescuesc.org/virtual and we are excited to announce the schedule of events and our national fire service instructors.
So register now and we will see you online!
Please, slow down and move over!
Emergency Responder Safety Institute
Every day across America, distracted & uninformed drivers pose a major threat to the safety and well-being of first responders who risk their own lives on roads & highways to assist those involved in traffic incidents.
This is National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week and we ask that you please pay attention when driving, watch out for flashing lights on emergency vehicles and move over if possible or slow down when approaching an emergency scene. Please share!
If you need public information materials about roadway incident safety be sure to check out the PIO & Public Educator resources on our website:
www.respondersafety.com/Key-Initiatives/PIO-Public-Educator-Engagement.aspx
Save the Date!!! Virtual Fire-Rescue 2020 is scheduled and details are being finalized. Local and national presenters are ready, are you? Plan to join us for a FREE virtual conference June 11 - 13, 2020. Add this to your dept's training schedule. #vfr20 firerescuesc.org/virtual
Virtual Conference 2020 - Fire Rescue SC 2020
firerescuesc.org
On behalf of President Keith Minick and the Executive Board of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, we invite you to the 2020 Virtual Fire-Rescue, June 11-13, 2020.Helping to honor Oconee County high school graduates tonight at West Oak High School. Remember, you all have come this far under adverse conditions, this will make you stronger for your future! Press on!
Congratulations West-Oak High School Seniors 2020
Thank you for honoring WOHS Seniors!
Thanks so much for doing this for my senior!
Congradulations senior's 🇺🇸🇺🇸
South Carolina Emergency Management DivisionResidents who suffered damage in seven counties due to severe storms on April 13, 2020, are now eligible to apply for FEMA disaster assistance.
If you live in Aiken, Colleton, Hampton, Marlboro, Oconee, Orangeburg or Pickens counties, you can apply for Federal aid through FEMA for help with storm costs not covered by insurance.
Please note that prior to receiving Federal financial assistance, any insurance benefits must be exhausted to avoid duplication of benefits.
Residents can register for FEMA assistance in one of three ways:
- Online by logging onto DisasterAssistance.gov
- Online by downloading the FEMA app, available for Apple and Android mobile devices. To download the app, visit: fema.gov/mobile-app or your phone’s app store.
- Call 800-621-3362. Residents who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Language translators also are available.
- Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Full news release and more information is available at scemd.org
