The opening keynoter for the 2025 Fire Truck Training Conference was Assistant Chief David Griffin of the Charleston (SC) Fire Department. Chief Griffin was the pump operator of the first engine to respond to the Sofa Super Store fire that claimed the lives of 9 Charleston firefighters.
Since that fire, Charleston has implemented a variety of changes in their operations. The department budget was $14.7 million in 2007 but is now $62 million, and part of that budget is devoted to its fleet division. There was no fleet manager in 2007, but there is now, along with one lead repair technician, four additional repair technicians, and the division has requested a mobile technician be added to the budget.
Throughout the presentation, which included a recounting of the events of June 18, 2007, including his deficiencies as a pump operator that day—deficiencies he did not blame on the department but on himself for not striving to be better at that job. He challenged the emergency vehicle technicians in the audience and said, “Why would you not want to be the best?” He praised the technicians in attendance for choosing to come to the Fire Truck Training Conference to ensure they are the best at their jobs and cautioned that those who are not seeking out training are the ones to worry about in any organization. His comments naturally dovetailed with the theme of this year’s conference: The Best Techs Never Stop Training.”
As Griffin concluded his remarks by delivering advice that he said transcends any profession: Do the right things the right way for the right reasons. Doing so is not for you but the people around you.
