Columbia Firefighters Association - IAFF Local 793

08/17/2026

All, please see below from the American Legion, MIAP and supporting veteran organizations.

We strongly encourage all Local 793 members to attend the ceremony.

*** Call for Attendance (Columbia, SC) ***

On Friday, August 28, 2026, at 11 a.m., Chapin American Legion Post 193, the Missing in America Project (MIAP) and supporting veteran organizations will lay to rest the cremated remains of 12 previously unclaimed veterans at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

The veterans served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force, with service spanning from World War Il through the Vietnam era and beyond.

These veterans honorably served their country when called upon to do so and deserve to be laid to rest with the honor and dignity earned through their service to our nation. The American Legion, MIAP and supporting veteran organizations will ensure these Patriots receive the dignified interment they deserve.

The cremated remains will be transported by Dunbar Funeral Home and escorted to Fort Jackson National Cemetery from Chapin American Legion Post 193, 102 Lexington Ave, Chapin, South Carolina. The procession will depart the Post at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 28.

The service will begin at 11 a.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery and will be officiated by Past Chapin American Legion Post 193 Chaplain Jude Peck. Honor Guards provided by the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and Rock Hill American Legion Post 34 will render military honors.

The following unclaimed veterans from York County, South Carolina, will be laid to rest:

Michael Cole
Roger Gunnell
Kenneth Harvey
Gary Hayes
William Haye
Clayton Jackson
Laurence Patterson
Jay Shelby

The York County Coroner’s Office is grateful for their service and sacrifice. It is our honor to ensure these veterans are laid to rest with the dignity and respect they have earned.

May they rest in peace, and may their service never be forgotten.

Fort Jackson National Cemetery
4170 Percival Rd
Columbia, SC 29229

07/31/2026

Local 793 extends our deepest condolences to the family of Master Deputy Jillian Olson and our brothers and sisters of the Lexington County Sheriff's Department during this difficult time. We ask everyone to please keep them in your prayers

Lexington County deputy dies during dive team training

LEXINGTON, S.C. – A member of the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s dive team died Thursday during an underwater training session on Lake Murray.

Jillian Olson, 29, began her career as a Lexington County deputy in 2021. After more than a year as a patrol deputy, she transferred to a warrant deputy position. Olson was promoted to master deputy in the Warrant Division in 2025. She has been a member of the LCSD dive team since 2024.

“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a valuable member of the Sheriff’s Department,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Jillian exemplified commitment and service. She faithfully carried out her duties and selflessly worked to make those around her better.”

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Foundation named Olson the outstanding judicial services deputy of the year at its annual awards banquet last spring, according to Koon.

“The foundation recognized Jillian for showing exceptional initiative and leadership by, on her own time, developing reference guides and document templates for use by judicial services deputies,” Koon said. “The tools Jillian developed improved deputy training and operational workflow.”

Olson, a resident of Lexington, received the Sheriff’s Department’s tactical operations support award in 2023. She was scheduled to receive the department’s five-year honorable service award next month.

A native of Illinois, Olson graduated from Western Illinois University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration. She completed a master’s degree in student personnel services from the institution in 2021.

“Jillian’s dedication to her community and department is well-documented with awards and recognitions,” Koon said. “She’ll be most remembered for what she did with no fanfare. Her decision to join our dive team is just one example of her going above and beyond.”

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation into Olson's death, with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The Lexington County Coroner's Office is conducting its own investigation to determine Olson's cause and manner of death.

"I am grateful to DNR, SLED and our county coroner for the sensitive and respectful way they've handled everything," Koon said. "I would also like to express my thanks to the countless public safety agencies that responded without hesitation from across the whole state to help us in our time of need."

07/25/2026

Don’t forget to sign up for our 3rd annual golf tournament on October 9 at the Charwood Golf Club! We’re so excited to bring this back, and hope you are too!

Sign up NOW: https://birdease.com/L793golf

Irmo Fire District
West Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 5361 Columbia Fire Department (SC)
Charleston Firefighters Association - Local 61
Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina
The Big Red Barn Retreat
City of Cayce Fire Department
SC Oncology Associates
Lexington County Professional Firefighters Association
Lexington Police Department
City of Columbia Government
Columbia Police Department, SC
Lexington Sheriff's Department
South Carolina Firefighters
Soda City Training
City of Cayce
Myrtle Beach Professional Fire Fighters
Columbia Fire Family Association
Fort Mill Professional Firefighters Association Local 5483
Mount Pleasant Professional Firefighters Association Local 4693
Greenville City Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 2261 - SC
North Charleston Professional Firefighters - IAFF Local 2994
Carolina Foothills Professional Firefighters - Local 5612
Berkeley County Professional Fire Fighters Local 5446
Kershaw County Sheriff's Office

07/23/2026

All, please see below from our brothers and sisters at the Irmo Fire District. If interested, please reach out to us to begin coordination.

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July!

As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we honor the history, freedom and community that bring us together.

Whether you’re watching fireworks, grilling with family or enjoying time on the water, please celebrate safely. From all of us at Columbia Professional Firefighters Local 793, have a safe and happy Independence Day!

06/28/2026

Don’t forget! Sign-ups are open NOW for the Local 793 3rd Annual Golf Tournament. Come join us!

Sign up here: https://birdease.com/35439/register

Sumter Fire Department
Camden Fire Department
Lugoff Fire Department
Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina
City of Cayce Fire Department
South Carolina Firefighters
Summerville, SC Fire & Rescue
Forest Acres Police Department
South Carolina EMS Association
Richland County Sheriff's Department

The Local 793 Golf Tournament is BACK, and registration is now open!

Join the Columbia Professional Firefighters Association Local 793 for our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Charwood Golf Club.

Grab your teammates and enjoy a day of golf, camaraderie, food, cold beverages, raffle prizes, giveaways, and friendly competition, all while supporting the firefighters who serve our community.

Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking for a great day on the course, we invite you to join us!

SIGN UP NOW: https://birdease.com/35439/register

06/12/2026

The Local 793 Golf Tournament is BACK, and registration is now open!

Join the Columbia Professional Firefighters Association Local 793 for our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Charwood Golf Club.

Grab your teammates and enjoy a day of golf, camaraderie, food, cold beverages, raffle prizes, giveaways, and friendly competition, all while supporting the firefighters who serve our community.

Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just looking for a great day on the course, we invite you to join us!

SIGN UP NOW: https://birdease.com/35439/register

06/11/2026

On behalf of the Local 793 executive board, we congratulate the members who were honored in this evening's Spring Promotional Ceremony!

Movin On Up!!! 🚒🚒🚒

We salute all of our members who were honored this evening at the department's Spring Promotional Ceremony!

✅ 6 new Senior Firefighters
✅ 11 new Engineers
✅ 8 new Fire Captains
✅ 2 new Battalion Chiefs
✅ A new Fire Training Officer & Senior Deputy Fire Marshal

All serving our community!!

FULL STORY HERE: https://shorturl.at/vODbS

FULL EVENT PHOTOS HERE: https://shorturl.at/Bmco3

06/09/2026

The men and women who protect our city deserve more. Listen to Local 793 President Josh Moskaitis during the City of Columbia Government's City Council Meeting and Budget Public Hearing as he advocates for more resources for our firefighters.

To watch the entire meeting, visit https://columbiasc.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1796/media