News Release Detail | Corporate - The Cliffs Communities

VINEYARDS FIRE DISTRICT 111 Granny Gear Road Sunset, S.C. 29685 Contact: Ray Steck 864.868.7724 SUNSET, S.C., August 1, 2004 – The Board of Commissioners of the Vineyards Fire District, together with Chief Phil Black and his staff of three paid officers and twenty Volunteers, are proud to announce that the new facility of the Vineyards Fire District officially opened on August 1, and is ready to respond to fire calls. The Vineyards Fire Station is located in the Eastatoee Valley at the junction of Granny Gear Road and Cleo Chapman Highway. The Vineyards Fire Station is manned around the clock, and its staff and volunteers will respond to 911 calls from property owners within the Vineyards District and, pursuant to mutual aid agreements already executed with both Holly Springs and the City of Pickens, will respond to calls from those districts when assistance is requested by fire officials from those areas. “A professionally staffed and well-trained volunteer group will substantially reduce response times and elevate the level of security throughout the district while providing an impetus for insurance companies to reduce their rates,” stated Ray Steck, Commission chairman and development manager for the project. Steck added, “I thank all property owners within the district for their financial support as well as my fellow commissioners, Chief Phil Black, and county representatives for their assistance in bringing this project to fruition. Commissioners Tom Braniff, Roger Haenggi, Gordon Lancaster and Janet Benton all contributed their time and skills in the development of an outstanding facility that will benefit property owners throughout the Eastatoee Valley.” The station is a three bay facility that will meet current and estimated future needs. The station is the “home base” for two new Pierce fire pumper/tanker trucks that in addition to water will dispense a foam agent that has proven to be a very effective fire control medium. Both trucks are capable of drafting water from Lake Keowee as well as from the large number of hydrants strategically located in the primary service area. An inhouse communication system, including a 45-foot tower will provide a seamless communication link among the station, trucks, and the Pickens 911 facility as well as with security personnel located at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, a residential development within the station’s service area. Property owners within the Vineyards District financed the new facility and equipment through an incremental tax plan. Neither the state nor Pickens County provided funds for this project. The Cliffs Communities’ President Jim Anthony purchased and donated the property for the facility and provided extensive site work required before the commencement of construction.