CERT In Action!
Spartanburg, S.C., CERT Provides Support During Brush Fire
On a hot August day, what started as a small, controlled burn in someone’s Spartanburg, S.C., backyard quickly became a large brush fire requiring the services of three fire departments, the South Carolina Forestry Commission, and the Spartanburg County CERT Support Services Team.
The team provided rehabilitation services as local firefighters and other responders fought to control the blaze that started after a trash burn in someone’s backyard spread to the surrounding woods. “We activated our rehab unit and were out there two consecutive days,” said Robbie Swofford, Spartanburg CERT coordinator.
CERT members provided support by giving responders a place to rest and recharge with cooling tents and refreshments. They were even able to offer their weather station to the Forestry Commission. “[The station] tells you valuable information — humidity, wind direction, temperature — and Forestry used it to keep tabs on the situation,” said Swofford.
Eight members working in shifts were on the scene from 2 to 8 p.m. on August 10, 2009, when the fire started, and returned the following day from 2 to 8 p.m. when the blaze rekindled. “CERT made such a great impression that we were activated again the next day,” said Swofford. The team continued to offer assistance to firefighters and provided shelter when a sudden storm hit.
CERT members remained on the scene until the fire was under control. “I was thrilled with our response time and on how quickly we set up and tore down,” said Swofford. This was the third activation for the Support Services Team this year. CERT is very active in the area, with nearly 500 members on the books. They are most often activated to assist with fires or search-and-rescue operations.
For more information, please contact Robbie Swofford at rswofford@spartanburgcounty.org.