Newberry County Council honors Prosperity hazmat, rescue and fire volunteers

Newberry County Council on Feb. 4 formally recognized volunteer members of Prosperity Fire Station No. 2, Prosperity Rescue Squad No. 17 and Hazmat Station No. 12 for their service to the county.

Brandon Wicker described Station 12 as the countywide hazmat team housed at Prosperity Fire Department: 11 members total, including eight certified hazmat technicians qualified to enter hazardous situations and three operational-level members who support scene operations and equipment checks. "Calendar year 2025, it ran a total of 8 calls," Wicker said, and noted the team's total response time in those incidents was about 17 hours and 45 minutes. He cited a large 2025 incident in which a tanker truck leaked about 5,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid at a rest area.

Prosperity Rescue, founded in 1963, was described as a volunteer corps of roughly 20 members that responds to an average of 150 to 200 calls a year and hosts the county dive team. Wicker emphasized cross-agency training and regional partnerships with neighboring agencies' dive teams.

Robert Dennis, speaking for the fire department, reviewed local firefighting history and praised long-serving volunteers. He singled out Sheriff James Lee Foster and Donnie Einick as members who have served Prosperity Fire Department for more than 50 years. Dennis stressed the volunteer commitment and resource limitations for future planning: "Bad data in is bad data out," he said, urging accurate staffing records and long-term logistical planning amid rising equipment costs.

Council members thanked the volunteers, noting that the county’s public safety backbone relies heavily on unpaid service. The recognition concluded with applause and a group photo.

Next steps: council and staff will continue discussions on resource planning and integration of volunteer needs into capital planning.