Charleston County Government Public Safety

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for the dedication ceremony of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and for celebrating the incredible legacy of Joe Coates. We are deeply grateful to Charleston County Council for honoring Joe with this well-deserved recognition. A special thank you to the Coates family for sharing this meaningful moment with us. His dedication, leadership, and commitment to our community continue to inspire us all. Here’s to the lasting impact of his work and the continued strength of our shared efforts to keep Charleston safe. Thank you again to all who made this day memorable!

Last night, the Department of Public Safety, along with several other departments and agencies, had the privilege of participating in the final week of the MUSC Children’s Health Goodnight Lights event. We were joined by our partners at Charleston County EMS, Charleston County Emergency Management, Awendaw-McClellanville Fire Department, and Charleston County Consolidated Emergency Communications Center. This marks the 5th year of Goodnight Lights, where first responders position emergency vehicles around the children’s hospital and signal their lights in unison. The children, in turn, are given flashlights to shine back, sending a heartfelt “goodnight.” The event takes place every Thursday leading up to Christmas. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this special occasion possible and kicked off another unforgettable season.

We’re proud to share that members of the Public Safety Directorate, Public Safety Departments, and other dedicated Charleston County Government employees recently participated in Adult Mental Health First Aid training provided by SC Thrive. This essential training empowers our team with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to mental health crises, fostering a more supportive and informed community. By equipping local leaders with these tools, we're taking important steps toward mental health awareness and ensuring we can provide the best support for those in need. Thank you to SC Thrive for leading this important initiative. #MentalHealthMatters #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport #MentalHealthFirstAid #CharlestonCounty

We made the list, now it's time for you to check it twice! ✅ Stay safe and cozy this holiday season with these tips: 🔋 Check your smoke detector batteries. 🕯️ Never leave burning candles unattended. ⚡ Avoid overloading electrical circuits. 🛍️ Shop from reputable websites only. 🌨️ Stay updated on weather forecasts. 🔒 Be cautious when sharing personal details online. Safety first, so you can enjoy all the festive moments with peace of mind! #HolidaySafety #SafetyFirst #Checklist #StaySafe

Join Us for the 2025 QuakeSmart Preparedness Workshop Series! We’re thrilled to invite you to our upcoming workshop, hosted by the Charleston County Emergency Management Department in collaboration with FEMA and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH). Date: January 23rd Time: 8:30 A.M. - 3 P.M. Location: Charleston County Emergency Operations Center, 8500 Palmetto Commerce Parkway, North Charleston, SC 29456 Attendees: This workshop is designed for building officials, business owners, emergency responders, and construction professionals What You’ll Learn: Identify Your Risk: Understand the importance of business continuity and disaster response while exploring the cost-benefit of earthquake preparedness. Develop a Plan: Learn essential preparedness actions and complete assessments for retrofitting your space. Take Action: Engage in hands-on activities with the QuakeSmart Program. This workshop is a fantastic opportunity for businesses and individuals to boost their preparedness strategies and strengthen community resilience. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eDGj7ZTa Don’t miss out! Let’s work together to enhance our community’s preparedness! #QuakeSmart #Preparedness #CommunityResilience #CCEMD #CCDPS

Charleston County Public Safety members, including members from the LowCountry IMT and Charleston County Critical Incident Support Team (CIST), recently had the opportunity to share their valuable experiences with SC Task Force One’s Incident Support Team. They discussed their work in Laurens County following the hurricane, highlighting the challenges faced and the lessons learned. Thank you to everyone who continues to serve and support our communities during times of crisis. #PublicSafety #DisasterResponse #Teamwork #HurricaneRecovery #LowCountryIMT #CIST #SCTaskForceOne

Last night The Department of Public Safety along with multiple other departments and agencies had the opportunity to participate in MUSC Children’s Health Goodnight Lights Event for it's second week. We caught up with our friends at Charleston County EMS, Awendaw-McClellanville Fire Department, and Charleston County Consolidated Emergency Communications Center. This is the 5th year of Goodnight Lights, first responders position emergency vehicles around the children’s hospital and signal the lights in unison. The children in the hospital are given flashlights to shine back to say goodnight. This event occurs every Thursday leading up to Christmas. Thank you to everyone for participating in kicking off an incredible event.

Justin Pierce has been selected to lead Charleston County Emergency Management as its next director. With over 20 years of experience in the homeland security and emergency management field, Justin most recently served as Director of Emergency Management for Los Angeles World Airports. In that role, he served Van Nuys General Aviation Airport and LAX, where he helped guide the response to and recovery from COVID-19, led the planning effort for the Super Bowl LVI team arrivals, revamped the LAX terminal evacuation and repopulation procedures, modernized its alert and warning capabilities, and initiated a $70 million renovation of its Emergency Operations Center. From 2016 to 2019, Justin served as Deputy Chief of the Preparedness Division for the District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, where he led numerous planning efforts and EOC activations in response to emergencies, National Special Security Events, and other planned events including Presidential Inaugurations, State of the Union Addresses, and a Papal Visit. Additionally, he has deployed to numerous Presidentially declared disasters under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eKK2s5Jq

Want to learn how to stay safe during severe weather and help your community? The National Weather Service (NWS) is offering FREE online training, and NO prior weather knowledge is required! This virtual, 2-hour webinar will cover: ✅ An introduction to the NWS and its role in weather monitoring. ✅ Types of hazardous weather and how to safely observe them. ✅ Categories of severe weather to report. ✅ How to submit reports directly to the NWS. Whether you're a weather enthusiast or just looking to make a difference, this training will give you the tools to stay informed and help others in your area. 🗓️ Important: Classes may be canceled on short notice due to severe weather. Be sure to check the "Announcements" section for updates before attending. For full schedule and registration details, visit the link below: 2024-2025 NWS Storm Spotter Training Schedule below: https://lnkd.in/ekpnxRz8 Don't miss out on this opportunity to get involved and help keep your community safe! 🌪️🌧️ #NWS #SevereWeatherTraining #WeatherPreparedness #CommunitySafety #FreeTraining

Last night The Department of Public Safety along with multiple other departments and agencies had the opportunity to participate in MUSC Children’s Health Goodnight Lights Event for it's first week. We caught up with our friends at Charleston County EMS, Charleston County Emergency Management, Charleston County Consolidated Emergency Communications Center and Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad. This is the 5th year of Goodnight Lights, first responders position emergency vehicles around the children’s hospital and signal the lights in unison. The children in the hospital are given flashlights to shine back to say goodnight. This event occurs every Thursday leading up to Christmas. Thank you to everyone for participating in kicking off an incredible event.