South Greenville Fire District Station 77 dedicated their newest firefighting apparatus, Platform 77, a 100’ platform, during a ceremony held Monday, April 4. SGFD Station 77 is located at 1820 Old Grove Road, Piedmont.
At the beginning of the ceremony, SGFD Chief Matt Sutherland said, “Our firefighters are already extremely proud of our “new to us” Platform 77 and are anxious to be able to put the truck in service to better serve our community.”
Platform 77 is a 2008 Pierce Dash 100 ft. Rear Mount Platform and replaces the current Platform 80 which is a 1980 FMC/LTI.
SGFD Commission Board includes Chairman Jim Darby, Vice Chairwoman Bre Bedingfield, John Jennings, Donnie Freeman and Jimmy Brashier.
“The leadership and dedication that these Commissioners show to the members of this department and constituents of the District are second to none. Days like today are not possible without their guidance and assistance,” Sutherland said.
Chief Sutherland recognized Lt. Kevin Blakely, Lt. Shannon Garrett and Firefighter Garrett Ricketts for serving on the truck committee. “The truck committee found this truck, worked hard to bring it home to South Greenville and equip it so that our firefighters can effectively and efficiently do their jobs.”
“I would like to express my appreciation to Firefighter Chris Goodman and Lt. Kevin Blakely for going above and beyond what was asked of them to help get this truck in service. These two spent multiple off and on duty hours preparing this truck for service.”
Sutherland said the layout of compartment and equipment is the result of their hard work and dedication to the project.
As part of the program, Commission Chairman Jim Darby read a poem which recounted the history and memories of South Greenville Fire District through the years. Darby’s father was instrumental in organizing the early fire department which used repurposed and refitted vehicles including three old oil tankers and a repurposed Mack. The Ellen Woodside High FFA also helped build early trucks.
His poem touched on early department buildings including a hut, a garage, a track and a gas station to now having six “new stations which have quite the accommodations” with “shiny, real firetrucks rolling out their doors.”
Darby ended saying, “From the commissioners, Chief Sutherland and staff, to our citizens, friends and South Greenville Fire crews, and with memories of our members past, it is with great honor and privilege too, we today announce, Platform 77 is dedicated to you!”
The dedication ceremony included having an SGFD Honor Guard pass a piece of equipment from Platform 80 to the new Platform 77. “Platform 80 has served our district very well over the last 20 years,” Chief Sutherland said. “Tradition and history are very important to us.” SGFD Honor Guard members Battalion Chief Kevin Bell and Lieutenant Kevin Blakely presented and passed a fire axe/haligan from Platform 80 to SGFD firefighters, to be placed on Platform 77.
The ceremony also included a prayer and blessing of the truck by Reverend James Massey, Pastor of Holly Springs Baptist Church.
South Greenville Fire District personnel and others paid homage to the history and tradition of early hand drawn fire engines, ladder wagons and hose carts that had to be pushed back into the fire station by hand, by pushing Platform 77 into the apparatus bay at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony.
South Greenville Fire District Station 77 dedicated their newest firefighting apparatus, Platform 77, during a ceremony held Monday, April 4.
Pass it on
SGFD Honor Guard members Battalion Chief Kevin Bell and Lieutenant Kevin Blakely presented and passed a fire axe/haligan from Platform 80 to SGFD firefighters, to be placed on Platform 77.
Platform 77 pushed into bay
South Greenville Fire District personnel and others paid homage to the history and tradition of early hand drawn fire engines, ladder wagons and hose carts that had to be pushed back into the fire station by hand, by pushing Platform 77 into the apparatus bay at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony.
