Living Conditions Force Closure of Richland County, SC, Fire Station

The temporary closure of the Dentsville fire station has residents worried.

Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told WIS deteriorating conditions forced him to close the station.

Sewage overflow and fumes from the rigs are among issues threatening the health and safety of firefighters. 

“We need to make sure that we have our firefighters in a good environment,” Jenkins said.

There may be delays to reach emergencies as firefighters and apparatus have been moved to two other stations.

Dentsville resident Michael Levy told a reporter: "It worries me that there isn’t a backup plan or a final plan for a station to help protect our neighbors. f there’s a significant wait time from a surrounding area, then lives can be lost, and property can be destroyed.”

The fire chief added: “People do have a right to be concerned that the fact that the company is no longer here. And I wouldn’t sit here and tell you that there wouldn’t possibly be a delay in certain areas of that response area, but one thing I want to assure the citizens is that the truck will be responding.”

Jenkins is exploring options during renovations including a portable station.

IAFF members noted that last year, the firefighters in the station responded to 2,393 calls, the third highest in the department.