Palmetto Rural Fire District

08/17/2026

🥵Dangerously hot/humid today, especially east of I-95 where an Extreme Heat Warning is in effect from 11am-8pm
⛈️Isolated severe storm w/ damaging winds possible, mainly this eve near/west of I-95
💻Heat forecast/safety info: weather.gov/ilm/heat

07/31/2026

Do you know when to stop for a school bus in South Carolina?

It's back-to-school season so even if you do, take a moment to refresh your knowledge so you know what is expected.

Remember - school bus safety takes all of us working together, every day, to keep kids safe. Visit our School Bus Safety page to learn more: https://scdps.sc.gov/schoolbus

07/30/2026

It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of our brother, Firefighter Chuck Black.

Chuck dedicated his life to serving others with courage, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the fire service. He wasn’t just a firefighter—he was a mentor, a teacher, and a friend. Every firefighter in this department has been impacted by Chuck in one way or another. He took pride in passing on his knowledge, investing in those around him, and helping shape the firefighters we are today. His legacy will continue to live on through each of us every time we answer the call.

Beyond the firehouse, Chuck was a man of deep faith who loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived his faith each day through his compassion, servant’s heart, and the way he treated everyone he met. His kindness, integrity, and genuine care for others strengthened not only our department but also the community he faithfully served.

Today, we mourn the loss of a brother, but we are forever grateful for the time we shared with him and the example he set for us all.

Please keep the Black family, along with our entire fire service family, in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Funeral Arrangements:

✝️ Visitation: Wednesday, July 29, from 5:00 PM–7:00 PM at First Methodist Church, Bennettsville.

✝️ Funeral Service: Thursday, July 30, at 4:00 PM at First Methodist Church, Bennettsville.

Chuck, thank you for your years of service, your leadership, your friendship, and the impact you made on all of us. Your watch has ended, brother. Rest easy—we have it from here. 🕊️

Firefighter Chuck Black
Unit 1312
End of Watch
July 26, 2026

07/04/2026

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our nation.

From all of us at the Palmetto Rural Fire Department, we wish everyone a safe, happy, and memorable Independence Day. As you celebrate with family and friends, please remember to use fireworks responsibly and help keep our community safe.

Happy Independence Day! God Bless America! ❤️🤍💙🚒

07/02/2026

As South Carolinians prepare to celebrate Independence Day, SC State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones is reminding residents to make fireworks safety a priority and help prevent injuries, fires, and avoidable tragedies. Click here to read the full press release: https://bit.ly/4eGDmYY

06/27/2026

It’s hot out here, but we got cool stuff, cool people, cool trucks, and cool gifts. Come visit PRFD here at the Watermelon Festival at the P*eDee Farmers market.

06/21/2026

06/16/2026

Celebrate Summer at the Watermelon Festival

FLORENCE, SC – It’s time once again to celebrate all things watermelon at this year’s Watermelon Festival at the P*e Dee State Farmers Market on June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us for a delightful day celebrating sweet summer watermelons and featuring tasting events, exciting games, and activities for the whole family. This year, we are thrilled to welcome the 2025 SC Watermelon Queen, Gracen Vaughn, who will be making a special appearance at the festival.

As part of the festivities, the Palmetto Rural Fire Department will be offering fire truck tours and fun rides on The Little Red Fire Truck. This is an exciting opportunity for kids and adults alike to learn about fire safety and get up close with the heroes of our community! In addition to the watermelon festivities, attendees can enjoy delicious offerings from our food trucks and the market's on-site restaurant, Aloha Kitchen, as well as our new restaurants, The Coffee Doc and Deli and The Oyster Bar.

The drive-thru market will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 27, offering a wide selection of fresh produce, plants, food, gifts, and local goods. Mark your calendars and bring your friends and family for a day filled with fun, learning, and community spirit at the Watermelon Festival!

The P*e Dee State Farmers Market is located at 2513 W. Lucas St. in Florence. Admission and parking are free. The market has complimentary electric vehicle charging stations. For more information, call 843-665-5154 or contact Market Manager Bob Sager at mailto:[email protected] or Events Coordinator Mia Marshall at mailto:[email protected].

You can also visit http://agriculture.sc.gov/state-farmers-markets or find the market on Facebook at *eDeeFarmersMarket (https://www.facebook.com/peedeefarmersmarket).

A 45,000 square-foot drive-through farmer's shed filled to the brim with produce, plants, and crafts.

06/13/2026

We are proud to be apart of the CRR!
Receiving the award for the third time.

Left to right,

Fire Chief Thomas Spivey
Firefighter Brian Reyes
Assistant Chief Chris Jones

06/09/2026

🚙Connecting You and Your Loved Ones to Safe and Compassionate Mobility - P*e Dee Area and Beyond!🚙

At Palmetto Rural, we understand that getting to medical appointments, work, or daily errands shouldn’t be a source of stress. That’s why we are proud to offer dependable, compassionate, and professional non-emergency medical and community transport services tailored to your unique needs.

Whether it’s a critical medical appointment or a ride to work, our friendly team is here to ensure a safe, comfortable, and timely journey.
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📋 Our Specialized Services Include:

🚑 BLS Ambulance Transports: Designed for dialysis trips and any transport requiring the continuous, professional attention of a certified EMT.

🛌 Stretcher Van Services: Perfect for patients who need to travel in a specialized lying or reclined position, but do not require specialized medical equipment or active monitoring.

♿ Wheelchair & Ambulatory Transports: Reliable assistance to get you exactly where you need to go.
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🌟 Exciting News for Our Community!

We are expanding our Wheelchair and Ambulatory services! Beyond medical appointments, we are now broadening our reach to assist community members with daily life transportation—including reliable rides for work, grocery shopping, and other unique daily transit needs. Our lives and needs are always changing and Palmetto Rural is ready to ease any associated stresses.
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💼 Flexible Options for Everyone

No insurance or incompatible benefits? No problem. We proudly offer competitive out-of-pocket rates for all of our services. We are happy to provide a personalized quote based on your specific trip details so you know exactly what to expect.

📞 Let’s Get You Moving!

Your comfort and safety are our highest priorities. Give our friendly team a call today to discuss your needs or to get a personalized quote.

📱 Call us, today: 843-245-5031