Hurricane Helene Response: A Recap of SC Firefighter Mobilization & US&R Operation
Chad Beam
Friday, June 13, 2025
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
When Hurricane Helene struck, the South Carolina Firefighter Mobilization (SC FFMOB) system and the SC Urban Search and Rescue teams played a critical role in response and recovery efforts. This session will provide an in-depth review of the mobilization process, resource deployment, and the coordinated efforts between local, state, and federal partners.
Attendees will gain insight into the operational challenges faced, key successes, and lessons learned from this large-scale disaster response. Through firsthand accounts, data analysis, and incident documentation, this session will highlight the effectiveness of pre-planning, rapid response, and interagency collaboration in mitigating the storm’s impact.
Join us to explore how SC FFMOB and SC US&R continue to evolve in their mission to support communities in times of crisis.
Chad Beam
Chad Beam is a dedicated public safety leader with nearly two decades of experience in Fire and EMS. His career began in 2005 with the South Greenville Fire District and Pelzer EMS, later advancing to Greenville County EMS as a Field Training Officer and Rescue Technician. In 2012, Chad became a medical specialist with South Carolina Task Force 1 (SC-TF1) and transitioned to a full-time role in 2015. Chad spent 8 years as a law enforcement officer serving as a SWAT medic with the City of Fountain Inn and City of Clinton.
Throughout his career, Chad has held multiple leadership roles across Fire and EMS, including two years as Deputy Director for Laurens County EMS. Chad still works as a firefighter, part time at his home Fire Department in the City of Fountain Inn, where he has served 13 years.
Chad now serves as one of three Assistant Chiefs of State Fire, where he oversees the Emergency Response Division, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (SC-HART), and firefighter mobilization efforts.
Chad has deployed and served as the Operations Section Chief for more than 20 Type I federally declared incidents.
Chad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Services Management from Anderson University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Clemson University. He is a graduate of the South Carolina Firefighters Association Leadership Institute, SC State Fire University and is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy.
Chad currently serves as the second vice president for the State Urban Search and Rescue Alliance, Vice Chair of the National Geospatial Search & Rescue Coordinating Group, Vice Chair of the State Search and Rescue Coordinators, and Chair of the Technology and Communications Committee for the SC Firefighters Association.
Outside of his professional duties, Chad is a devoted family man, married to his wife, Brooke, with whom he has two daughters, Carleigh and Ellie Reames.
