Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Wesley Gatlin is Barnwell County's new fire coordinator.
Barnwell County’s new fire coordinator wants to grow the local fire service.
Wesley Gatlin was hired in late 2022 to fill the position previously held by Timbo Williams, who retired in September 2022 after 18 years of service as the county’s first fire coordinator. For the past 17 years, Gatlin has been a volunteer firefighter with the Barnwell Rural Fire Department, where he worked his way up from engineer to lieutenant to assistant chief.
“I love helping people in the community,” said Gatlin of being in the fire service.
Gatlin spent 15 years working for Swiss Krono in Snelling, including 12 years in production and three years overseeing the flooring manufacturer’s emergency response services. In April 2021, he joined the St. Paul Fire Department in Charleston County. After Williams encouraged Gatlin to apply for the fire coordinator’s position, he was hired.
“It got me back in the community I live in versus Charleston County,” said Gatlin, who also worked part-time for Medshore Ambulance during his time with St. Paul.
His main goal is to help support the local fire departments while working to grow and improve services that ultimately benefit Barnwell County’s residents. This includes creating county-wide training so the 10 county departments don’t have to each do their own thing.
“One of the main things I want to work on is recruiting and retaining younger volunteers,” said Gatlin. “There’s been a big decline in volunteers the last several years.”
There are simply not enough younger people stepping up to volunteer as many of the long-time firefighters are getting older and having to stop or slow down on their services. It’s an issue that is affecting departments across the country.
“We need to keep an active fire service for our community,” said Gatlin, who grew up in Hilda but now lives in Barnwell. “With our 10 departments and having volunteers, we get quicker response. This also helps reduce taxes for our residents versus having paid fire staff.”
He encourages anyone with an interest in helping protect their community to consider becoming a volunteer firefighter. You must be 18 years old to be a full member, but there are cadet programs for teens ages 14 to 18. Various certifications must be obtained.
“It’s a chance to help the community. It’s rewarding whenever you help somebody,” said Gatlin, whose interest in volunteering was sparked at age 18 after seeing his friends join.
To learn more about what it takes to become a volunteer firefighter, contact Gatlin at wgatlin@barnwellsc.com. You can also contact the chief of your local fire department.
