Divisions & Staff

A - Shift Battalion - Chief  W.H. Watts
B - Shift Battalion - Chief  D.C. White
C - Shift Battalion - Chief  R.C. Watts

The Sumter Fire Department operates with three battalions, led by three battalion Chiefs, six Captains, fifteen Lieutenants and fifty six supporting members made up of engineers (driver/operators) and firefighters.

The firefighting duties are performed under a "Fire Company Operation". Unity of Command is performed (every member answers to one supervisor) at all emergencies. This supports the span of control being one supervisor to no more than four members.

We have a standard operating guide and departmental rules and regulations to help us perform our actions and duties at emergencies. These guides help us to perform in a more uniform fashion with the basic knowledge of what another member will do when it comes to supporting tactics. The basic strategies stay the same. We just use various tactics like: extinguishment, confinement, ventilation, water supply, salvage/overhaul, and evacuation to control the emergency situations we are involved in.

The position of "Incident Commander" is assumed at all emergencies. All assignments and support communications come from this commander who has the overall responsibility of mitigating the emergency.

Inspectors

The Sumter Fire Department has a proactive, aggressive inspection division that addresses the need for updated codes ad enforces the fire and life safety codes in place today.

We provide on-going inspections to all businesses in the area of jurisdiction. The inspections are performed unannounced and are made according to current fire and life safety codes.

The Inspection Division is involved in the planning of new structures, roadways, future hydrant placement and any other projects involved in the protection of citizens from the perils of fire and other associated emergencies.