Oconee Fire commission approves November minutes, 2025 meeting calendar; announces regional election results and awards dinner plans

The Oconee Fire Service Fire Commission on Jan. 2025 approved its November meeting minutes, adopted a proposed 2025 meeting calendar and confirmed recent regional election results, a presiding officer said at the start of the commission’s January meeting.

The action set the commission’s regular meeting pattern (first and third Thursday of most months) while leaving the December meeting slot under consideration. The commission also reminded departments that South Carolina State Firefighters Association 1% forms — including annual accounting, board of trustees information and departmental 1% budgets — are due in January, and that departments must adopt a budget for their 1% funds before spending.

The commission announced results of recent regional elections to fill commissioner seats. Bruce Blackwell of Holly Springs was elected to fill the Region 1 seat vacated by Will Bates and will serve the remainder of the term through 2025, the presiding officer said. Tony McAllister was returned to the Region 2 seat for a two-year term. Region 4 held votes at several departments and had one remaining department’s vote to be completed; the commission said it will announce the Region 4 result at the February meeting.

The commission set its awards dinner for February at Walhalla High School and said the awards committee will meet to review 2024 nominations and early-2025 submissions. The commission appointed Bruce Blackwell to serve as its 2025 representative on the awards committee; the chair noted the committee is typically composed of one member from the fire commission, one from the rescue commission and two members chosen by the commission staff leads.

Votes at a glance: minutes approval — approved; 2025 meeting calendar — approved; appointment to awards committee — approved.

The presiding officer and Chief Smith also urged departments to report any radio programming or communications issues; the commission noted chiefs may assist with programming at meet-nights. No formal discussion or report was offered by the radio communications committee at the meeting.

The commission adjourned after brief regional updates and routine business.