Chris Harvey has been a member of the City of Greer Fire Department since April of 1977.  He started out as a basic firefighter and was promoted up through the ranks where he reached the rank of Assistant Chief / Fire Marshal in 1986.  As Assistant Chief, his main focus was on fire prevention and inspections.  He was also the department's training officer.  Promoted to fire chief in 1996, Chris has since supervised two stations, 30 paid personnel, and up to 18 volunteer firefighters.  In addition to obtaining certification from the Southern Building Code Congress as a Level I & II Fire Inspector, he has also obtained certification as a Chief Fire Code Analyst.  He is active in the South Carolina Fire Marshal’s Association, the South Carolina State Fire Chief’s Association (Currently serving as 1st. Vice President), the Greenville and Spartanburg County Fire Chiefs Association, the International Association of Fire Chief’s, and the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs.  He is the former president of the SC Fire Marshal’s Association and the Greenville County Fire Chief’s Association.  Active in fire inspector training, he has taught numerous State Fire Marshal courses throughout South Carolina.  Chris serves as Chairman of the City of Greer Safety Committee, Chairman of the Allen Bennett Hospital Advisory Committee, and serves on the Community Advisory Panel for Mitsubishi Polyester Film.  In addition, he is an active member of Victor Baptist Church, where he serves on the Deacon Board.  Chris is married to the former Donna Arms and they have two children.  Their son, Justin, is 23 years old and serves as a firefighter for Wade Hampton Fire District in Greenville, SC.  Their daughter, Amy, is 20 years old and is a junior at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.

OUR DEPARTMENT

• City of Greer Population
  Approximately 20,000
  
  
• ISO Rating
  ISO Class 2
  
  
• Size Of Coverage Area
  25+ Square miles

• Areas Covered
  City of Greer and some areas of Greenville and Spartanburg counties outside city limits.

• Services Provided
  Fire Protection, Rescue, Extrication, Medical First Response, Fire Inspections, Fire Prevention, Confined Space Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Rapid Intervention (RIT), SafeKids Car Seat Inspection Station

• Year Organized
  1914

• Personnel
  36 Full-time, 16 volunteers, 12 Explorers

• Stations
  • Headquarters - 103 West Poinsett Street.
  • Station 2 - 1985 Hood Road. Our training tower is also located at Station 2.
  • Pelham-Batesville Station 4 - Brockman McClimon road - Joint use of this station with Pelham.
    

OUR HISTORY
The City of Greer Fire Department has been protecting the citizens of the Greer, South Carolina since 1914.  In the early years, we were known as the Greer Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, and had to fight fire, using buckets from a horse drawn wagon filled with barrels of water.  In 1919 the city purchased its first motorized fire engine, which was a 1919 Seagrave.  Sam O. Mahaffey was hired to drive it, and he became the city's first full-time paid fire fighter.

Today, the City of Greer Fire Department consists of two Stations, four Engine Companies, one Ladder Company and one Rescue / Brush Truck.  We staff 30 paid firefighters, 18 Volunteers, and respond to approximately 1,500 calls per year.  We provide Fire Suppression, Fire Prevention, Public Education, Rescue, and EMS First Response Service to a fast growing community, which is approximately 25 square miles with a population of 20,000 citizens.

The City of Greer is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and borders both Greenville and Spartanburg Counties.

The Firefighters
Prayer

When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage,
Give me strength to save a life,
Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child-
Before it is too late,
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert,
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently-
To put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
To give the best in me,
To guard my friend and neighbor,
And protect his property.

And if according to Your will-
I must answer death's call,                           
Bless with your protecting hand,
My family one and all.

  NEVER FORGET
     The Blood Of Our Heroes                      

2006 Slideshow (21:00)

Slideshow - Condensed Version (3:55)