Hanahan Firefighter Concerned Over Outdated Equipment

A firefighter from the City of Hanahan has recently stepped forward to voice concerns about outdated equipment and the safety of the firefighters using them. As reported by Live 5 News, a firefighter from the Hanahan Fire Department came forward to reveal the poor state of firefighting equipment and discussed his concerns that the equipment might not protect firefighters from injuries or death when performing emergency services.

According to the anonymous firefighter, the department’s protective clothing is faded and dry rotted. Although protective clothing is considered safe for up to 10 years, some of the gear is reportedly from the 90s. He claims that city officials are not spending the money required to fix the problem and protect public employees.

The Hanahan City Administrator has responded by stating that all clothing and gear used by the Department is routinely inspected. In 2013, all clothing and gear passed an inspection by the City’s finance director, fire chief, and fire captain and was found to meet proper standards. The city also purchased 10 new sets of clothing to replace old gear last year. Because the Hanahan Fire Department has 30 firefighters, however, there are still concerns.

Despite the fact that city officials are stating that the city’s firefighters are safe, the department’s insurance company has given Hanahan FD a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. This clearly shows that concerns are legitimate and that there is a need to take a closer look at how to better protect the city’s fire department.

As South Carolina personal injury lawyers, our firm’s legal team understands the importance of first responders and the important role they play in protecting public safety. Firefighters and other emergency personnel can mean the difference between minor and catastrophic injury – even death. As many taxpayers would agree, ensuring that firefighters have the gear they need to protect the public should a priority. By stepping forward, this firefighter may spark public awareness about the need to protect public employees who place themselves in harm’s way.

At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we are equipped with the resources to immediately respond to the needs of injured victims and families; we are here to help South Carolinians who have suffered serious injuries due to others’ negligence. If you would like to learn more about your rights after an accident or injury, call 888-612-7001 for a FREE case review.