Ready for Anything: What I learned at Midway Fire and Rescue

By Karen Owens, Publisher

I’ve had the privilege to participate in Leadership Georgetown this year and as part of that experience, I get to tour various businesses and organizations across the county to better understand what’s happening in our community. Here are some key takeaways from our Public Service Day and my visit to Midway Fire and Rescue in Pawleys Island.

1. They are busier than you think

Last year was a whirlwind for Midway Fire and Rescue. Chief Brent McLellan shared that his crew responded to over 4,500 service calls in 2025. Their work is incredibly diverse, ranging from routine wellness checks to high-stakes water rescues, chemical spills, and structure fires. Beyond the emergencies, they are proactive — testing over 1,000 hydrants annually and conducting rigorous business inspections to keep us safe.

2. A massive mission on a lean budget

Covering 72 square miles from the Georgetown bridge to Murrells Inlet is no small feat. With three stations and a dedicated team of 68 full-time staff, they operate on a $7 million county budget. Interestingly, only about $800,000 of that is generated by impact fees, meaning they maximize every dollar to provide top-tier protection.

3. Constant training and homegrown talent

The learning never stops at the station. Every team member completes 20 hours of mandatory training each month and is cross-trained to handle any emergency. Chief McLellan is particularly proud of their new recruitment strategy: instead of just hiring from the outside agencies, they now train their own firefighters and EMS staff from the ground up. With three dedicated trainers, this shift has boosted both staff retention and job satisfaction.

4. Prevention is the first line of defense

“We work to prevent what we can prevent,” said Chief McLellan. The department is aggressive about public education, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors. Thanks to a FEMA grant, they distributed and installed roughly 1,700 smoke detectors last year. They even offer monthly CPR and First Aid classes to the public—giving you the power to save a life before the sirens even arrive.

5. The $23,000 suit 

Modern firefighting gear is a marvel of engineering, but it comes at a price. A full protective uniform weighs between 45 and 75 pounds and costs an average of $23,220 per firefighter. This heavy-duty protective kit is the only thing standing between our heroes and extreme heat, flames, and toxic smoke – so it’s well worth the investment.

The most important thing I learned during my visit is that Midway Fire and Rescue works best when they have the community’s help. You can make their job easier—and your family safer—by signing up for Community Connect. This free, secure program allows you to share vital details (like mobility issues, pets, or medical conditions) that pop up on first responders’ screens the moment a call is placed. It takes five minutes to sign up, but it could save a lifetime. Let’s do our part to support the team that does so much for us.