Florence County Fire Rescue Expands Staff Amid Consolidation
Florence County Fire Rescue is adding new positions as the consolidation of seven separate fire departments continues. The Florence County Council approved these new fire rescue positions on Sept. 17.
The new roles include assistant chiefs, a workforce and volunteer coordinator, battalion chiefs, a training chief, and a training captain. District Fire Chief William Dillon stated that not all positions will be filled immediately, with staffing to be phased in over the next 24 to 36 months as the consolidation progresses.
Florence County officials established the Florence County Unified Fire Protection District in 2014, which combined the districts of seven fire departments that had continued to operate independently. The departments involved in this consolidation are Windy Hill, Howe Springs, West Florence, Sardis-Timmonsville, Olanta, Hannah-Salem-Friendfield, and Johnsonville. In July 2025, Dillon was appointed as the district’s first fire chief and tasked with initiating the consolidation effort.
Council Chairman Jerry Yarborough indicated that the consolidation and the addition of new staff positions are expected to decrease emergency response times. The Florence County Fire Protection District covers 625 square miles and serves more than 83,600 citizens. Earlier this year, the County Fire Rescue also assumed hazardous materials response responsibilities from Florence County Emergency Management.