STATION 8

        The Broadway Fire Department, station eight of the Anderson County Fire System, was chartered in 1964. The station started with one county owned American LaFrance pumper and a station owned 1950 Chevrolet Tanker. The station was housed in a former auto auction barn on Speedway Drive, just off of Highway 29 North in Anderson County.

        Truck 8, later known as Engine 8, was brought into the county by railroad. The truck served as a first out truck until its replacement in 1996. Arnold Kelley was the first Chief of Broadway Fire Department and served as such until 1980. Past Chief Kelley, a charter member of the station, is now an honorary member as well as the secretary for the station. Preston Lewis was the second Chief of the station. He took office in 1980 and served as chief until 2003. Past Chief Lewis, also a charter member, served on several committees with the county fire department throughout the years and was instrumental in making the fire service what it is today. Past Chief Lewis is also now an honorary member and serves on the Board of Directors for the station. Both of these outstanding individuals have made many personal sacrifices over the years for the good of the fire department, and will never receive the amount of thanks that they deserve. Chief David Burnette is the current chief and has served as such since 2004. Chief Burnette has been a member since 1992. Broadway is one of the few stations in the county that can be proud of having only three chiefs over the past forty seven years.

        Broadway Fire Department is still housed, after several remodeling efforts, upgrades and additional construction for new bays, in the former auction barn. Broadway’s fleet now consists of seven trucks that include: Engine 8, a 1996 E-One Freightliner pumper, Engine 8-1, a 2006 E-One International pumper, Attack 8, a 1997 E-One Ford mini-pumper, Tanker 8, a 1994 3000 gallon Tanker built by Red Diamond, Rescue 8, a 2005 Ford built by Fouts Bros.,Truck 8, a 100' aerial ladder truck donated by Bay District Volunteer Fire Department in Lexington Park, Maryland, and Grass 8, a 1999 Ford 4x4 built by station members with the assistance of Taylor Fire Group and Jeff Carnes.