FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: News Media
From: Bamberg County Administration
Date: December 16, 2024
Re: Holmans Bridge Fire Substation Ribbon-Cutting in Denmark
Bamberg, South Carolina (December 2024) –About two years after its groundbreaking ceremony, the construction of the Holmans Bridge Fire Substation is one step closer to offering fire protection to area residents. On Friday, December 13, Bamberg County and City officials, Senator Brad Hutto, area fire chiefs, and others celebrated the completion of the substation with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Jody Reeves generously donated the property to Bamberg County in 2021. The new state-of-the-art substation, located at 15200 Char-Augusta Rd., is strategically located in the northeastern section of Bamberg County, which includes the communities of Holmans Bridge, Sweden, Finland, and Jamisonville. Holmans Bridge Fire Substation will also serve the Denmark Country Club, Sandifer Farms, and Mount Zion Church areas.
District 4 Councilman Spencer Donaldson, who spearheaded this project, stated, “In addition to lower insurance premiums, constructing a fire substation in this part of the county will reduce response time. The vast majority of firefighters in Bamberg County are volunteers, and it is our duty to support their selfless service by providing modernized, safe equipment and facilities they can take pride in when on duty.”
Bamberg County Fire Coordinator Paul Eubanks said, “This project has been on my desk for about thirty years, and we are happy to see the fruits of our labor finally. The new station will extend fire protection to a widespread area and qualify for a Class 6 insurance rating, lowering residents’ insurance premiums.”
Despite his busy travel plans, Senator Brad Hutto attended the ceremony. He expressed how necessary this ribbon-cutting is and congratulated the county for its diligence in bringing the project to fruition. He noted, “It’s really about our citizens knowing they will be protected if the unimaginable happens. It’s nice to see the government work for the people.”
Councilwoman Sharon Hammond commended the Bamberg County Fire Department for their “relentless service” and described them as an “invaluable asset to the community.”
Bamberg County Chairman Evert Comer, Jr. thanked Councilman Donaldson for his leadership on the project, noting, "I am proud to see the construction of a fire substation in the northeastern section of Bamberg County.”
According to County Administrator Joey Preston:
We have been engaged in capital improvements for our Fire Service operations for the past several years with new equipment and fire apparatuses. The Holmans Bridge Fire Substation is another step to improving overall emergency response times and providing excellent public safety services to every corner of Bamberg County. Without the donation of land from Mr. Reeves and the collective efforts of county staff, elected officials like Senator Hutto, Representative Bamberg, and many others, this station would not have been possible. As a token of our appreciation, a plaque of acknowledgment will be prominently displayed inside the substation.
Preston also noted, “A homeowner with a home valued at $125,000 will save approximately 27% annually on insurance costs, which is roughly $533 a year and a significant amount of savings.”
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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov