Clarendon County Fire Rescue rallies around one of its own

CLARENDON COUNTY - Dozens of firefighters came together Wednesday afternoon to support one of their own, Firefighter III Donnie Feagin, who was diagnosed in 2020 with metastatic brain cancer.

Feagin retired on Feb. 28, 2022, to concentrate on his health, and his absence has been felt throughout Clarendon County Fire Rescue.

Since joining what was then the Clarendon County Fire Department in 2003 as a volunteer, Feagin moved up the ranks of the department. He began as a full-time firefighter with the department in 2007 and retired as a Firefighter III.

"Donnie has always been dedicated to our department," said CCFR Chief Michael Johnson. "Very seldom would a call go out from his station and Donnie didn't respond. Donnie is always willing to train new members, and he's one excellent apparatus operator."

At Feagin's retirement party, Battalion Chief Ricky Barrett presented Feagin with a bunker coat signed by all of his fellow firefighters.

CCFR Division Chief of Training Josh Jordan presented Feagin with a wooden American flag board.

"The board was a thank you for the impact that Donnie has had on my career," Jordan said. "He helped me be a driver operator. This was a thank you for his hard work. No doubt Donnie is missed. He has always been a firefighter we could count on, no matter what. When he was assigned a task, it was taken care of."

Johnson presented Feagin with a gold axe engraved with the Maltese Cross and his name, Firefighter III Donnie Feagin.

"Donnie has touched so many people during his career as a firefighter," Johnson said, "especially the folks in his community and throughout Clarendon County."

CCFR Medical Control Physician Robert Ridgeway III presented Feagin with a resolution from the South Carolina House of Representatives recognizing his years of service and honoring him for his years of commitment to the people of Clarendon County.

While Feagin is surrounded by support from his fellow firefighters, his wife and son, his mother and other family members and friends, the many trips to Duke University and other medical expenses are expensive and a constant drain on the family's resources.

A bank account has been set up at the Bank of Clarendon to help Feagin defray the costs of his treatments. To make a donation, the account at the Bank of Clarendon is listed as Lynda Barrett for Donnie Feagin.