New facility will train firefighters throughout Pee Dee

HARTSVILLE — Thursday’s dedication of a new firefighting training facility in Darlington County marks a milestone for the Darlington County Fire District, the district’s chief said.

Chief David Williamson said the new Frey Training Center will prove an asset not only to the county, but to surrounding counties and cities as fire departments from throughout the Pee Dee use it.

The facility will also help train fire brigades from private industries throughout the region, he said.

A training facility for county firefighters that could serve other fire departments as well has long been a vision for the district, the chief said.

Williamson said there were discussions in the past about establishing a training facility in the county. He said firefighters recognized the need for a facility to train locally.

“Through the support of several sponsors and with the blessing of the county administrator and county council, their determination was rewarded with a facility that will serve us well now and in the future,” he said. “With this site, we can conduct live burn exercises, search and rescue training, ventilation training and practicing ladder skills as well as many other skills that cannot be practiced otherwise.

“Training is the key to ensuring the success of our mission and making sure all of our personnel return home safe to their family members after each call.”

The facility, which is located behind the district’s headquarters building at 137 N. Center Road just off U.S. 151 between Hartsville and Darlington, includes a complete two-story burn building that allows firefighters to simulate conditions inside a burning structure.

Several neighboring departments have already used the facility to conduct training and refresher exercises for their firefighters, Williamson said.

On Monday, Darlington County Council is expected to consider a mutual use agreement between the county and Florence-Darlington Technical College that will allow the college to use the facility to train industrial fire brigade members from area industries at the center. The agreement also would allow the county to use the college’s technical rescue training facility at Nucor Steel to train the county’s specialty rescue team, Williamson said.

“We have decided to continue to expand this facility as time and money permit to have more firefightiing props such as a car fire prop, flammable liquids pit, propane props, as well as a rail car leak and firefighting simulator,” he said.

During Thursday afternoon’s ceremony, Williamson recognized the Frey family, which he said helped make the center a reality through donations to the facility and for whom the facility is named. Hesaid additional funding for the center came from county funds, a Community Development Block Grant and private donations, including donations from a number of businesses and industries. He also thanked the fire district’s full-time firefighters and volunteers for their efforts to make the facility a reality.

“They continue to amaze me each day with their skills and their willingness to tackle these seeming impossible projects,” he said. “They are truly dedicated to making Darlington County a better place to live and work.”

Officials also dedicated a memorial area that includes a bench thanking sponsors and that will include engraved memorial bricks to honor firefighters and others. Profits from the sale of the bricks will go toward buying new equipment and supplies for the training facility, Williamson said.