Weather Data Source: South Carolina Weather

Government

Government - City of Charleston - Charleston South Carolina

Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston features a strong mayor-council system, with the mayor serving as the municipality’s top administrator and executive officer. The mayor, like the other council members, presides over municipal council meetings and has a vote. John Tecklenburg has been the mayor since 2016. The council is made up of 12 members who are chosen from single-member districts.

Fire department

Charleston Fire Department Engines 2 and 3 have their own station houses.

Over 300 full-time firefighters work for the City of Charleston Fire Department. These firemen work out of 21 different companies spread across the city, including 16 engine companies, two tower companies, two ladder companies, a heavy rescue company, a HAZ-MAT unit, and other special units. The departments of the department include Training, Fire Marshall, Operations, and Administration. The department operates on a 24/48 basis and has an ISO Class 1 grade. Russell (Rusty) Thomas was the Fire Chief until June 2008, when he was succeeded by Chief Thomas Carr. Chief Daniel Curia currently leads the department.

Police department

The City of Charleston Police Department is South Carolina’s largest, with 458 sworn officers, 117 civilians, and 27 reserve police officers. Their tactics for combating drug usage and gang violence in the city are utilized as templates for other cities to follow. [Citation required] The current Chief of Police is Luther Reynolds. He is a fan of Greg Mullen and Reuben Greenberg. Chief Reynolds is praised for sustaining effective community engagement projects such as The Illumination Project and cultivating a mutual respect culture. The agency has effectively overcome obstacles such as the Coronavirus and downtown unrest under Chief Reynolds’ leadership. Furthermore, in a competitive market, the agency continues to recruit police candidates.

EMS and medical centers

Charleston County Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS) and Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS) offer emergency medical services (EMS) for the city (BCEMS). Because the city lies in both Charleston and Berkeley counties, it is served by both EMS and 911 services.

Charleston is the principal medical hub for the state’s eastern region. The downtown region is home to numerous large hospitals, including the Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center (MUSC), the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, and Roper Hospital. MUSC is the state’s first medical school, the largest medical institution in the state, and the sixth-oldest continuously functioning medical school in the United States.

The downtown medical center is seeing fast growth in the biotechnology and medical research businesses, as well as significant expansions of all major hospitals. Furthermore, significant developments are planned or underway at another large hospital in West Ashley: Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital. The Trident Regional Medical Center in North Charleston and the East Cooper Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant both serve the needs of Charleston residents.

Coast Guard Station Charleston

Coast Guard Station Charleston is responsible for search and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement, and Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security (PWCS) missions. Station Charleston personnel are highly trained professionals that can complete a variety of jobs. They include federal law enforcement officers, boat crewmen, and coxswains. The Coast Guard announced plans to build a 2,800-acre (11 km2) “superbase” on the former Charleston Naval Shipyard complex in 2020 to centralize all of its Charleston-area facilities and serve as the homeport for five Security cutters and more offshore cutters.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston (District 7)

  • Coast Guard Station Charleston
  • Coast Guard Reserves, Charleston
  • Coast Guard Helicopter Air Facility, Johns Island, Charleston
  • USCGC Anvil, 75-foot inland construction tender, Charleston
  • USCGC Yellowfin, Marine Protector-class coastal patrol boat, Charleston
  • USCGC Willow, (WLB-202), Charleston
  • Joint Base Charleston (Navy & Air Force)
  • Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District Headquarters
Construction site in Charleston showing road closures and excavation work

Charleston Announces Road Closures for Low Battery Project

April 3, 2025

News Summary Charleston is implementing road closures around Murray Boulevard as part of the Low Battery Seawall Repair Project. The area, which includes crucial parking spaces, will be off-limits to...

Historical representation of the Ten Mile community, emphasizing cultural heritage.

Charleston County Council Delays Decision on Ten Mile Development

March 29, 2025

News Summary In a crucial meeting, the Charleston County Council decided to postpone a vote on a proposed settlement for the Ten Mile community development. Concerns over inadequate legal information...

Emergency workers addressing a water main break in a suburban area

James Island Faces Major Water Main Break Disruption

March 29, 2025

News Summary On March 27, 2025, an unexpected water main break on Riverland Drive in James Island caused significant disruptions. The 8-inch main burst around 11 a.m., leading to road...

Historic Radcliffeborough neighborhood in Charleston with modern construction

Charleston City Council Approves Controversial Parking Garage

March 29, 2025

News Summary The Charleston City Council has approved a contentious parking garage in the Radcliffeborough neighborhood. This decision, made on March 25, 2025, has divided opinions among local residents. Many...

Photographers in Charleston capturing the historic streets

Charleston’s Photography Regulations Stir Debate

March 29, 2025

News Summary Charleston’s local government is set to revise its film and photography regulations, raising concerns among professionals about potential impacts on their work. The proposed rules aim to secure...

Charleston community discussing the Connect Charleston initiative

Charleston Launches New ‘Connect Charleston’ Camera Network

March 25, 2025

News Summary Charleston has announced its new public safety initiative, ‘Connect Charleston’, aimed at enhancing community safety through a network of security cameras. Residents and businesses can register their outdoor...

Coast Guard cutter conducting a drug bust at sea

Florida City Celebrates Major Drug Bust by Coast Guard Cutter Stone

March 24, 2025

News Summary The Coast Guard Cutter Stone has made a significant impact in the war against drug trafficking with a recent operation that seized 45,600 pounds of illegal narcotics valued...

Debris from the recent collapse of a freedman's cottage in Charleston

Charleston Cottage Collapse Raises Concerns Over Historic Preservation

March 22, 2025

News Summary The recent collapse of a freedman’s cottage in Charleston during unpermitted renovations has ignited outrage and concern for historic preservation. This incident highlights the risks associated with unapproved...

Display of unregistered firearms and components linked to ghost guns

Charleston Man Sentenced for Possessing Ghost Guns

March 22, 2025

News Summary A Charleston man, Jimmy Franklin King, Jr., has been sentenced to over nine years in prison for illegally possessing ‘ghost guns’ – untraceable firearms made at home. Authorities...

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