(From city of Cayce) – On Tuesday night at the Cayce City Council meeting, Cayce’s Fire Chief, Steven Bullard, shared some of the remarkable accomplishments and statistics for the past year. Afterwards, in the packed Council Chambers, Bullard and the Department received a tremendous thanks from the community, Council members and the Cayce staff.

With one station and 24 dedicated personnel, Cayce firefighters responded to 2,249 calls for service. These included 267 fire-related incidents, 1,065 medical emergencies, 246 public service calls, 187 fire alarms, and 4 hazardous material responses. The department maintains an impressive average response time of 4 minutes and 16 seconds, a critical factor in saving lives and protecting property.

Cayce is now the second-busiest one-station fire department in South Carolina. Out of 430 departments statewide, 63 operate with just one station — a statistic that underscores Cayce’s efficiency and dedication.

Training remains a top priority, with firefighters logging nearly 4,000 hours last year. This emphasis on readiness ensures that Cayce firefighters, 65% of whom are dually trained EMS-certified, are prepared for any emergency.

Key Accomplishments

In 2025, the department achieved a number of milestones:

• Maintained an ISO 2 rating, placing it among the most effective fire departments in the nation.
• Earned the Fire Safe Community Designation for the second year in a row.
• Acquired a new fire engine, UTV for special events and Riverwalk response, and new extrication equipment.
• Installed a station alerting system to speed emergency response.
• Began operating under Lexington County EMS standing orders, allowing advanced medical interventions before ambulances arrive.
• Consolidated fire dispatch with Lexington County, ensuring faster coordination.
• Established automatic aid agreements countywide, eliminating delays in response.

Beyond fire and medical response, the department is making a difference in unique ways. The Therapeutic Equine Program, led by Community Risk Reduction Manager, Lindsay McDade, has gained national recognition, while community health initiatives have expanded through grants, including $14,000 for new bunker gear and more than $400,000 in opioid abatement funding.

Looking Ahead:

The department’s culture and morale remain strong. Applications to join the team continue to flow in, as more professionals seek to be part of what leaders describe as “something special” happening in Cayce.

The future also looks bright with the next generation of firefighters. Lexington District Two’s Innovation Center welcomed nine new Junior Firefighters this year, bringing the program’s total to 15. Graduates of the program have already gone on to careers across the country, from California to Wisconsin, and right here in Cayce.

Chief and staff credit their success to teamwork, forward-thinking leadership, and a deep commitment to protecting lives and property.

“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but even more excited about where we’re going,” Chief Bullard shared. “Cayce may only have one station, but we’re proving every day that one station can make a big difference.”