Jessica Witherspoon
Clarendon County Fire Department
Student and customer service representative. Volunteer for 1 year.
How did you come to be a volunteer firefighter?
I got into the fire service through a friend. I would go to calls with him and see all the exciting things they would do and it grew on me.
What do you love about being a volunteer firefighter?
The family atmosphere around the station and at calls. Clarendon is a combo department—we have paid and volunteer firefighters—but we are all brothers and sisters in the fire service family. What a great profession to be a part of!
Jimmie E. Shaver
Boiling Springs Fire District
Maintenance mechanic for Honeywell Engines. Volunteer for 32 years.
How did you come to be a volunteer firefighter?
When I was around 11 years old, the five-year old boy who lived next door ran away. I joined the search with the rescue squad and we found him at the local store about a half mile away. As you would expect, the mom and dad were so glad we found their son. That incident inspired me to want to be a firefighter.
What do you love about being a volunteer firefighter?
Lending a helping hand to others.
Isaac Yopp
Boiling Springs Fire District
Production line operator. Volunteer for two years.
How did you come to be a volunteer firefighter?
I hope to become a career firefighter one day.
What do you love about being a volunteer firefighter?
I love that you are always doing something different and the joy of knowing you are being a help to the people around you.
Mark Richard Williams
Boiling Springs Fire District
Landscape contractor. Volunteer for eight years.
How did you come to be a volunteer firefighter?
I grew up around the fire department because my dad was a fire commissioner and always wanted to do firefighting. As soon as I was old enough to sign up, I volunteered and began taking my classes to become certified.
What do you love about being a volunteer firefighter?
The ability to serve and give back to the community.
Tyheine Paul Bennett
Lieutenant, Camden Fire Department
Operations Manager for Marshall Landscaping.
How did you come to be a volunteer firefighter?
A close friend of mine invited me out to a meeting one night to meet some of his friends.
What do you love about being a volunteer firefighter?
The help that I can provide to my community and surrounding areas.
Grant Thomas
Pelham-Batesville Fire Department
Student at Greenville Technical College. New volunteer.
How did you come to be a volunteer firefighter?
There was a fire at a neighbor’s house. The family lost everything. But what the firefighters did to help, inspired me. I decided that the fire service is going to be my career. I joined an Explorer Program and became a volunteer as soon as I turned 18.
What do you love about being a volunteer firefighter?
Everyday is different. You’re active. Being able to help people at what may be the worst day of their lives —you make it better. The satisfaction you get from helping out.