WSPA 7News Spotlights Mauldin in ‘Zip Trip’ and First Responder Friday Broadcast
June 29, 2026
The City of Mauldin took center stage Friday morning as WSPA 7News brought its popular “Zip Trip” and “First Responder Friday” broadcast to BridgeWay Station. The special segment offered a high-profile opportunity to showcase the local businesses, cultural hubs, and public safety innovations that define the fast-growing Upstate community.
The live broadcast put a bright spotlight on a diverse mix of local staples and leadership, including:
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Piccola Italia restaurant
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T-Motion Dance and Afterschool
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Mauldin Recreation
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Mauldin Cultural Center
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BridgeWay Station
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Greenville Triumph SC
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Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt
Public Safety Technology on Display
A major highlight of the morning broadcast was WSPA’s Fred Cunningham speaking with key members of both the Mauldin Fire Department and the Mauldin Police Department. The interviews peeled back the curtain on modern technology being used locally to save lives and enhance community policing.
Representing the Mauldin Fire Department, Fire Marshal Don Hall demonstrated the department’s cutting-edge digital fire extinguisher training system. Additionally, Opioid Risk Coordinator Sam Garrison discussed the fire department’s newly implemented Opioid Response Program, aiming to tackle the regional substance crisis head-on.
The police department showcased its own tech-forward initiatives. Cpl. Cecilio Reyes highlighted the department’s extensive integration of Axon technology—which includes modern body cameras, dash cameras, Tasers, and advanced Virtual Reality (VR) headsets for officer training.
Capping off the tech demonstrations, Lt. James Madden introduced the police department’s new drone program, which even provided a live, overhead aerial drone shot for the news broadcast.
Local officials expressed gratitude to the station for allowing the city to tell its story, giving residents and viewers across the region a closer look at the people and places making Mauldin thrive.
