Wagener residents hoping for change as town council names new fire chief

WAGENER, S.C. (WJBF)- After years of fire chiefs coming and going, city leaders in Wagener, South Carolina have announced a new chief to lead the volunteer department.

It’s been almost a year since the Wagener Fire Department nearly lost its entire staff.

After many conversations, the mayor and city council have announced Hendrik Swanepoel as the new permanent fire chief.

It was last November when former fire chief Tillman Rushton sent a 4-page resignation letter to Mayor Mike Miller and the rest of town council. 

19 firefighters followed suit, meaning nearly the entire department left their positions. 

Patricia Middleton has called Wagener home for years.

“The people I have talked to in Wagener, and my own personal feelings are, whatever it is we need to do to get this fire department up and running—we need to do,” said Middleton.

After the resignations, Aiken County Council members voted to terminate the contract between the town and the county.

Earlier this year, Wagener town council approved an ordinance to separate the town from the fire department.

Nearby fire departments have helped in the meantime, but neighbors say it’s not enough.

“We want to know that when we are in need and we have a fire, somebody’s going to show up and show up quickly. That few seconds counts,” Middleton said.

Chief Swanepoel sent this letter to town council over the weekend, calling the nomination “a great honor”.

Mayor Mike Miller says he’s pleased with the progress being made, and ready to work with the new hire.

“I think we’re moving along very well,” Miller said. “I’ve got a house in town, I’ve got a building in town, and I’ve got a farm. I’m as much concerned about the service as anyone else.”

“The people are not concerned about politics. We just want you to get it together, work it out, and have somebody cover the fires,” Middleton added.

Chief Swanepoel was not available for comment Monday.

He says the reason why is because he’s already hitting the ground running to hire new staff, and help get this fire department back on its feet.

“He seems to be a very nice guy. He seems to be capable, and I like him personally. But as I said, whoever is fire chief—that’s fine with me, as long as they do the job, they’re transparent, responsible, dependable, and they show up,” said Middleton.