Lancaster honors Fire Chief Justin Mlelen after state fire chiefs award

Fire Marshall Lever presented a state-level commendation on behalf of the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs, recognizing Fire Chief Justin Mlelen for leadership and service to Lancaster's fire department.

Lever outlined the award’s history and criteria and read excerpts of the nomination, noting Mlelen’s operational achievements: replacement of three fire apparatus, collaboration with Lancaster County to secure a ladder truck, expansion of land for an additional fire station, adding one firefighter per shift, pay increases and overseeing completion of a three-story live-burn training facility funded by a competitive grant. "Chief Mlelen is an outstanding example of integrity, innovation, and servant leadership in the fire service," Lever read from the nomination.

Chief Mlelen accepted the recognition and thanked council and department members for support, saying the honor reflected the whole department: "We have a great department. I'm very proud to serve with these guys and gals ... without them everything that we do ... couldn't be accomplished," he said. Council members offered congratulations and recounted the chief’s contributions to the city and region.

Why it matters: Council members said the award highlights Lancaster’s improved emergency response capacity and ongoing investments in public-safety infrastructure. The recognition also underscores cooperative work with the county and success in winning competitive grant funding for training facilities.

What happens next: This was an honorary recognition; no formal council action was required or taken beyond public congratulations.