Wagener Fire Dept. Sees Growth, Reinstates Youth Program

The Wagener Fire Department recently had 15 firefighters join the team and they are getting the trainings done. Plans are in the works for a lot of fun events for the community. 

Youth are welcome to join the Wagener Fire Department. We are willing to work with everybody to build the new generation fire firefighter. everyone is welcome to stop by, to apply and ask questions anytime the doors are open. We welcome all students needing mentors. 

A Jr. program is key and very beneficial to our youth especially with an organized program before they turn 18.  Unfortunately, our Aiken County Public School District Aiken County Career & Technology Center has discontinued the program leaving many of our youth without a primary plan or back up plan upon graduation.  Instead of turning 18 with a national firefighter certification and going to work they are faced with waiting until 18 to start unless we have a organized in house plan for these members.

What are the benefits of a junior firefighter program?

Allows youth to gain insight and interest in becoming long-term members of the emergency services.
Increases awareness among youth about volunteering and supporting the fire and emergency services.
Provides departments with the opportunity to recruit additional members.
Provides departments with additional help in accomplishing non-firefighting or non-emergency tasks.
Offers leadership development for America’s youth, who are tomorrow’s leaders.
Educates parents and mentors on the importance of encouraging volunteerism.

Aiken Standard Covers New Fire Chief

Meet our new fire chief with this article by Bill Bengston with the Aiken Standard. 

"Hendrik Swanepoel, who began his firefighting career in South Africa and has spent the last three years on duty in Aiken, is now on board to help protect part of eastern Aiken County in the years ahead. 

Wagener's new fire chief, known as a driver/operator with Aiken Department of Public Safety, steps into......" Read More.

New Fire Department Accepting Volunteers

Pictured: Fire Chief Hendrik Swanepoel

The new Wagener Fire Department is currently being assembled under the leadership of Hendrik Swanepoel. He invites you to stop by anytime the bay doors are open.

Swanepoel is looking for new volunteer firefighters. People interested in this position need to file an application at the town hall or at the fire department whenever the bay doors are open. If you are uncertain about the position, but interested, stop by and talk with him. He is happy to help. 

Former firefighters are required to return all gear to the fire department as soon as possible. All gear and equipment belongs to the town and must be returned.

Swanepoel is eager to get the new department running in order to serve the community. "We are past the drama," Swanepoel said. "We are starting a whole new department with new volunteers that will serve this community well." The Chief is ready to start a new fire department with complete transparency and zero corruption. 

If you would like to submit an application at the town hall, the businesses hours are M, T, Th, F 8 - 5 and Wed 8 - 1.

ACPSD Free Student Meal Guidelines for '25/'26 Schoolyear

Aiken County Public School District is participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2025-2026 school year. Section 104(a) of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 amended section 11(a)(1) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1759a(a)(1))(the law) to provide an alternative to household applications for free and reduced-price meals in local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with increased levels of low-income students. This alternative is referred to as the Community Eligibility Provision. All students enrolled in the school/district may participate in the breakfast and lunch program at no charge to them. Families will not have to fill out meal applications.

 

Breakfast and lunch meals follow the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for healthy school meals. Please encourage students to participate in the school meal programs.

 

You may contact your Child Nutrition Program Resident District Manager Ebonee Maxwell at

803-991-3408 or email her at [email protected] for additional information.

Parents or guardians that do not want their child/children to participate in CEP may wish to discuss this matter with Ebonee Maxwell on an informal basis.

 

Parents wishing to make a formal appeal may make a request either orally or in writing to Marion O. Traxler, III whose address is: 1000 Brookhaven Dr. Aiken, SC 29803, 803-341-2437 for a hearing to appeal the decision.

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