Deputy Chief David A. Greene (dgreene@colletoncounty.org) - (843) 539-1960 extension 222

Investigations

Colleton County Fire-Rescue performs investigations of all fires that occur within Colleton County, excluding the municipalities of Walterboro and Edisto Beach.   In 2001, 168 building fires occurred within the Colleton County Fire-Rescue's jurisdiction.  With the assistance of the State Law Enforcement Division and the Colleton County Sheriff's Office, more than a dozen arrests in 2001 helped to lower the number of building fires by 44% in 2002.

Training

Colleton County Fire-Rescue investigators are trained by the South Carolina Fire Academy, South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, and the National Association of Fire Investigators.  Many of the investigators are Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators.

Equipment

Colleton County Fire-Rescue investigators utilize evidence collection equipment, various detectors to determine if a fire was intentionally ignited, and also use computer fire modeling.

Operations

Colleton County Fire-Rescue investigators perform origin and cause determinations at the scene of fires.  If the cause is determined to be intentional, the State Law Enforcement Division Arson Division is requested and responds to assist in processing the scene.  They then work with local law enforcement to develop suspects and continue the criminal aspect of the investigation.  If you have information regarding an intentionally set fire, you should contact the Arson Hotline at (800) 922-7766.

South Carolina Forestry Commission

The South Carolina Forestry Commission governs outdoor burning in Colleton County.  The South Carolina Forestry Commission Ranger assigned to Colleton County is a commissioned law enforcement officer who responds to wildland fire scenes when requested by Colleton County Fire-Rescue and issues tickets and makes arrests as necessary.  Complete laws governing outdoor burning can be found on the South Carolina Forestry Commission's website: http://www.state.sc.us/forest/reflaws.htm#reg

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) also regulates outdoor burning.  SCDHEC representatives respond to the scene of outdoor fires for the purpose of issuing tickets for those that burn illegal materials.  SCDHEC limits outdoor burning fuels to yard debris (limbs, leaves, sticks).  SCDHEC strictly prohibits the burning of paint, cardboard, tires, household chemicals, construction debris, plastic, metals, treated wood, paper or petroleum products.  Complete laws governing outdoor burning can be found on the SCDHEC website: http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/