South Carolina lawmakers honor firefighters killed during Hurricane Helene response

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• South Carolina lawmakers honored firefighters killed while responding to Hurricane Helene during a session of the General Assembly.
• The memorial recognized 15 members of the state’s fire service who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 2024.
• Officials included fallen firefighters from the Hurricane Helene response, a storm that impacted the state’s coast last September.
• Family members and colleagues attended the ceremony as lawmakers read the names of the fallen.
• Resolutions also encouraged public support for safer equipment and training for emergency responders.

COLUMBIA, SC — South Carolina lawmakers held a memorial session in the state General Assembly Tuesday to honor firefighters who died in the line of duty, including those killed during response operations for Hurricane Helene last September, officials said.

Legislators recognized 15 members of the South Carolina fire service who lost their lives in 2023 and 2024, reading the names of each firefighter and observing a moment of silence in the chambers.

Among those honored were firefighters who died while responding to emergencies tied to Hurricane Helene, which impacted South Carolina’s Lowcountry and coastal regions with high winds and flooding.

Family members, fire service representatives and colleagues attended the ceremony, where lawmakers passed resolutions acknowledging the sacrifices of the fallen and urging continued support for fire department resources, training, and safety protocols.

State officials said the memorial serves as a reminder of the risks emergency responders face during major weather events and as an expression of gratitude from the legislature and the public.