NEWS IOPFD's Deputy Fire Chief Richard Hathaway's last day on the job. From our family to yours, We are thankful for the island communities. Protect your island lifestyle. Family Owned & Operated COASTAL COVERAGE SPECIALISTS 843.881-4707 insureme@sigsc.com Mount Pleasant & Beaufort AUTO • HOMEOWNERS • CONDO • LIFE • WIND & HAIL • COMMERCIAL • FLOOD IslandVibesIOP.com 7 together. I can’t remember wanting to do anything but serve the community.” At age 18, Hathaway joined the Wichita Fire Department Explorer Post 881 as a volunteer, then the Moncks Corner Rural Volunteer Fire Department upon moving to South Carolina. “My professional (paid) career started with the City of North Charleston Fire Department in August 1998,” he said. “I was fortunate to work with some of the best firefighters who taught me so much.” When an opening became available with the IOPFD in 2001, Hathaway knew instinctively that this was where he wanted to be. “I had friends who had also left North Charleston to go to Isle of Palms who continually encouraged me to make the transition,” he said. “At the time, Isle of Palms paid more, and I really liked the environment.” It didn’t take long for his extensive experience and training to get noticed. Within six months of his arrival, Hathaway was promoted to engineer, whose normal course of duties is to develop programs, processes and plans to limit or prevent fire damage. After that, Hathaway just kept rising through the ranks – to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, battalion chief of training and finally as a deputy fire chief. “All of this was possible because many people took the time to teach me and invest themselves in training me,” he said. When asked why he is retiring now, at a moment when he is at the top of his profession, Hathaway said it was just the right time. “This has honestly been a difficult decision,” he said, adding that getting the Key to the City was “one of the greatest honors of my life.” “I honestly couldn’t tell you what prompted our city officials to be that generous to me,” Hathaway added. “All of my accomplishments were a product of teamwork and support from some of the greatest people on this planet.” From Page 6
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