Berkeley County approves MOUs to establish full‑time professional firefighters at volunteer stations

The Berkeley County Commission approved memoranda of understanding to deploy professional, full‑time firefighter staffing at the county’s five volunteer fire stations beginning July 1.

County staff and commissioners described the multi‑party MOUs as the final administrative step needed to ensure 24‑hour professional firefighter coverage at each volunteer station. Staff said the MOUs had been reviewed by legal counsel and accepted by the volunteer chiefs and fire‑company presidents; the commission moved to approve and authorized the commission president to sign.

County Administrator Gary told the commission the arrangement would “ensure that July 1, when they dial 911, they get a professional firefighter morning, noon, night, holiday, weekend.” Commissioners and staff said the agreement represents months of work by the county, the volunteer fire companies, the fire service board and the fire board’s leadership, and includes financial participation from the fire board and other local funding plans. Several commissioners praised the coordination and noted that the county has pursued multiple funding sources — including a recent commercial fire fee and impact fees — to support capital and operational needs tied to the expansion of career staffing.

The MOUs were presented as part of the county’s broader public‑safety strategy, which includes applying for federal SAFER grants and budgeting for additional recurring personnel costs. Commissioners said the agreements consolidate the volunteer departments’ operational and administrative responsibilities with the county’s career staffing plan and that each volunteer station will retain local leadership while receiving career coverage for emergency response.

The commission approved the MOUs by voice vote with commissioners saying “Aye.” Staff will proceed to execute the documents and coordinate onboarding, payroll, and scheduling details with the volunteer departments and the fire board. Officials said some implementation details and minor administrative issues may be resolved in coming weeks but emphasized the decision establishes countywide 24‑hour professional fire coverage for the first time.