KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. — Chief Battalion John Terry has dedicated 33 years of his life to responding to fires with the Lugoff Fire Department, and for him, it has never felt like work.
"You know, they always say if you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life," Terry said. "I've never really worked. It's been fun since Day 1."
Today is not just about loading the truck; it's about packing 33 years of experience into every compartment.
Terry acknowledges the unique qualities required for this profession. "It takes a special person; it's not for everybody."
Terry's journey began in his teens.
"Senior year of high school, we're actually at a dance and a car caught on fire, and the guys came in and put a fire out, and I thought that was pretty cool," Terry said. "And they were always needing volunteers, so I started volunteering."
Over the years, Terry has witnessed significant changes in both the department and the community, reflecting on the evolution of their operations. "We took our own calls, and then we dispatched them out and went to the calls, and now, we wait on 9-1-1 to dispatch us."
"I remember in the early '90s, we would sit out in front of the trucks and you could count cars that come by. You might have 50 in the evening, and now you getting 50 every 2-3 minutes."
For Terry, firefighting has become more than a career. It's a legacy for him and his family, proudly displaying images of his son and daughter working in the Lugoff Fire Department.
With 33 years under his belt, Terry encourages the younger generation to explore firefighting as a potential calling.
"Try it and see if you like it," Terry said. "You never know, you may stumble across the calling you didn't even know you had deep down in ya."
Acknowledging the challenges of the job, Terry says he's going to keep fighting fires as long as he can. "I'm gonna give it a while and go as long as it will let me go, anyway,.