Fire Department
OUR MISSION
Camden Fire Department’s mission is to provide the safest and highest level of service against the loss of life and property. We are dedicated to everyone for all-hazard responses and prevention while promoting public education.
OUR VISION
Our vision is continued dedication to provide excellence in customer service, safety for everyone, and to have well-trained and proactive members.
OUR CORE VALUES
- Integrity (trust, pride, honesty, commitment)
- Duty (safety, family, accountability, professionalism)
- Honor (diversity, respect, quality, compassion)
For non-emergency calls, dial 803-425-6040. For emergencies, dial 911.
The City of Camden Fire Department covers a 50 square mile service area, including all properties within city limits as well as some unincorporated areas in Kershaw County. Our combination department, made up of 28 career firefighters and 18 volunteer firefighters. We maintain two stations in order to keep response times low. Station 1 is located downtown, adjacent to City Hall, and Station 2 is located on Hwy 97 the Dusty Bend area of town.
We respond to nearly 2000 calls annually, and we are rated by the Insurance Services Office as a Class 2 agency, meaning our citizens save money on residential and commercial insurance premiums. Currently led by Interim Chief Eddie Gardner, our staff receives a high level of training and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
Our department offers the following services to our community.
- Routine Fire Inspections
- Fire and Life Safety Presentations
- Home Safety Inspections
- Smoke and Co Alarm Program
- Child Safety Seat Installation Program
If you would like more information on any of our programs please contact Chief Eddie Gardner egardner@camdensc.org or Assistant Chief Chris Tidwell ctidwell@camdensc.org.
Our staff provides and installs smoke alarms and smoke alarm batteries free of charge, upon request. Please call 803-425-6040 to request a smoke alarm check at your residence.
We recommend that our citizens remember and practice these safety tips:
- Have a smoke alarm on every level of your home
- Test your smoke alarms monthly
- Replace smoke alarm batteries twice a year
- Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older
- Develop a home escape plan and practice it
- Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for children
The Camden Fire Department also offers free child safety seat installations. Before you bring your child safety seat to either of our stations for an inspection, please make sure your child is using the recommended car seat, as determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.