Bluffton, SC – (December 30, 2024) – The Bluffton Township Fire District (BTFD) is honored to announce the retirement of Battalion Chief Derek Franks after 25 years of dedicated service. A retirement ceremony will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at BTFD Headquarters – Station 35, located at 357 Fording Island Road. The public is invited to attend this special event, and fire service members are encouraged to wear Class A uniforms.
Battalion Chief Franks began his remarkable career with the Bluffton Township Fire District in August 1999 as a firefighter. Over the years, his leadership and expertise earned him a series of well-deserved promotions:
- 2008: Promoted to Lieutenant
- 2012: Promoted to Captain
- 2014: Promoted to Station Captain
- 2019: Promoted to Battalion Chief
In addition to his work with the Fire District, Chief Franks made significant contributions to regional and state emergency response efforts. He served as a Rescue Specialist on South Carolina Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue from March 2003 through 2022. Chief Franks also held critical roles as the Bluffton Team Lead for South Carolina Task Force 6 Regional Rescue Team, BTFD Special Operations Coordinator, and BTFD Emergency Management Coordinator.
Notable Deployment Highlights
- 2005 – Hurricane Katrina: Chief Franks received a field promotion to Rescue Squad Officer and led a 12-person squad over 13 days, searching more than 1,200 homes and rescuing one civilian.
- 2012 – Superstorm Sandy: He led a boat team of four and performed 39 rescues, including 29 classified as high-risk rescues during the storm’s landfall.
- 2015 – 1000-Year Flood: Chief Franks directed four boat teams in Charleston and Columbia, completing over 180 rescues and logging more than 400 boat operating hours.
Awards and Accomplishments
Chief Franks’ distinguished career includes numerous honors that reflect his dedication to the fire service and the community:
- BTFD Firefighter of the Year (2000, 2002)
- BTFD Fire Officer of the Year (2010)
- BTFD Award of Merit for Continuous Outstanding Performance (2013)
- Unit Citations for Hurricane Sandy and Aiken PAX Deployment (2015)
- Multiple Certificates of Appreciation for his contributions to fire prevention, training, and other BTFD programs
Chief Franks’ leadership, expertise, and compassion have made a lasting impact on the Bluffton Township Fire District and the community it serves. Chief Paul Boulware expressed his gratitude, stating, “Chief Franks’ commitment to excellence and his unwavering dedication to public safety have been a cornerstone of our Fire District. We are deeply thankful for his service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Join us on January 3, 2025, as we celebrate the exceptional career of Battalion Chief Derek Franks and wish him a happy and fulfilling retirement.