Emergency Management Department

In December 2003, the Emergency Management Department was created to centralize coordination of emergency preparedness and homeland security responsibilities as well as fire and rescue response.

This department consists of three key divisions: Awendaw Fire Department, Emergency Preparedness Division and Hazardous Materials Division. The department also maintains the county’s liaison with the Charleston County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. These responsibilities represent services throughout the county.

The Awendaw District Fire Department consists of professional and highly trained fire employees, augmented by trained local volunteers, who provide fire protection, medical first responding and educational services to the service areas north of Mount Pleasant.

The Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD) provides leadership and assistance to reduce the loss of life and property in Charleston County from a variety of man-made and natural hazards through an effective emergency management program.

The Hazardous Materials Division (Haz Mat) coordinates an organized effort among emergency responders and industry if hazardous materials are released. The coordination of this response is intended to lessen the impact of any incident on communities in Charleston County. The division interacts with the state Terrorism Task Force.

The Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad is composed of public-minded citizens who contribute money and volunteer their time to perform the following operations: vehicle extrications and fatality recovery; land and water search and rescue; boating, diving and drowning accident response and recovery; and medical first responds for Emergency Medical Service.

	Coordinate planning, training, exercises and response of County services to augment local municipal services in specialized technologies
	Offer assistance to local entities
	Coordinates Charleston Low Country COBRA ( C hemical, O rdnance, B iological, Ra diological) Team with the state's plan

Emergency Management Department
4045 Bridgeview Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 958-4061
(843) 958-4070 (Fax)

Awendaw District Fire Department
6384 Maxville Road
Awendaw, SC 29429
(843) 928-3294
(843) 928-3155 (Fax)

Emergency Preparedness
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-7400
(843) 202-7408 (Fax)

Volunteer Rescue Squad
2521 Rescue Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 225-7728
745-2324 (Fax)
(843) 202-7072 (Voice Mail)