The Colleton County 9-1-1 Communications Center, all call-takers and dispatchers are employees of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office and are not trained by or affiliated with Fire-Rescue.

Colleton County Fire-Rescue operates on a primary radio frequency of 154.145 MHz from a single transmitting station located close to the center of the county near Walterboro, South Carolina. The 400 foot transmission tower is augmented by six voting receiver stations, mounted on 125 foot towers strategically located in rural areas of the county to improve talk back to the main repeater. A second repeater frequency of 154.385 MHz is utilized on Edisto Island. Fire-Rescue also uses three simplex tactical channels operating on 159.105 MHz, 156.225 MHz and 155.175 MHz. All frequencies are scanned for rebroadcast on this webpage link, with the main dispatch channel serving as the primary channel for playback. All transmissions are in “clear text”. To eliminate confusion, thus improving safety, Fire-Rescue does not use codes or signals in radio transmissions.

Radio traffic for the City of Walterboro Public Safety is handled on separate radio frequencies licensed to the City of Walterboro and is not tied to this link.

Radio traffic for the Town of Edisto Beach Fire Department and Fire-Rescue’s Edisto operations are handled on the County’s Edisto Repeater on 154.385 MHz

Most incidents receive a single station response. Predetermined, acute medical emergencies receive a Medic Unit response (ALS Ambulance) and the closest fire station. All county Fire Engines are equipped with BLS or ALS medical equipment, including AEDs and/or 12-lead cardiac monitor/defibrillators

First alarm structural fires receive the closest four fire stations (four Engines, four 3000 gallon Tenders, closest Medic Unit (ALS Ambulance), support apparatus and at least one supervisor, usually the on-duty Battalion Chief. Second alarms bring four additional stations (four Engines, four Tenders, and support apparatus). Third alarms bring four more stations, some specialty equipment and additional command staff. Additional or subsequent alarms bring specified equipment from other areas of the county, allow for relocation of apparatus and manpower to maintain coverage. Mutual aid from neighboring counties may be included in some alarms and/or specifically requested by the Incident Commander.

Colleton County participates in the Statewide Firefighter Mobilization Program. Out of county responses involving the Firefighter Mobilization Program are handled on the Statewide 800 MHz system and are not monitored through this link.