Newberry Earns Fire Safe SC Designation For Seventh Year
Lt. Chansel Minick and Captain Ben Bowers recently attended the 2026 South Carolina Firefighters Association Fire/Rescue Conference, where they accepted the Newberry Fire Department’s 2025 Fire Safe South Carolina Community designation. This marks Newberry’s seventh consecutive year receiving this recognition.
To earn the Fire Safe South Carolina designation, fire departments must demonstrate a strong commitment to fire and life safety education, develop partnerships with local organizations, and utilize incident data to identify and address community risks. The Fire Safe South Carolina program is a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association, South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs, South Carolina Fire Marshal Association, South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and South Carolina State Fire.
“Community outreach, public education, and fire prevention remain top priorities for the Newberry Fire Department,” said Chief Gene Shealy. “Through these efforts, we strive to help every resident and business make their homes and workplaces safer while ensuring they know how to respond in the event of an emergency.”
Shealy said the department was honored to receive this designation once again and remains committed to serving and protecting the community through education, prevention, and preparedness.
Lt. Chansel Minick and Captain Ben Bowers recently attended the 2026 South Carolina Firefighters Association Fire/Rescue Conference, where they accepted the Newberry Fire Department’s 2025 Fire Safe South Carolina Community designation. This marks Newberry’s seventh consecutive year receiving this recognition.
To earn the Fire Safe South Carolina designation, fire departments must demonstrate a strong commitment to fire and life safety education, develop partnerships with local organizations, and utilize incident data to identify and address community risks. The Fire Safe South Carolina program is a collaborative effort between the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association, South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs, South Carolina Fire Marshal Association, South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and South Carolina State Fire.
“Community outreach, public education, and fire prevention remain top priorities for the Newberry Fire Department,” said Chief Gene Shealy. “Through these efforts, we strive to help every resident and business make their homes and workplaces safer while ensuring they know how to respond in the event of an emergency.”
Shealy said the department was honored to receive this designation once again and remains committed to serving and protecting the community through education, prevention, and preparedness.
