Governor Henry McMaster authorized on March 31 the deployment of members from South Carolina State Fire’s Palmetto Incident Support Team to Hawaii to help with recovery efforts after flash flooding affected parts of the state.
The deployment aims to provide support in Honolulu County, where the team will work within the Emergency Operations Center alongside local, state, and federal agencies. The effort is coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national system that allows states to assist each other during disasters.
“South Carolina has seen firsthand how devastating flooding can be. When we have faced disasters, other states have offered their support,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “Now, it is our turn to do the same for the people of Hawaii. I am confident these seven members of our Palmetto Incident Support Team will provide critical assistance and help the Honolulu community begin to recover.”
State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones said, “This deployment reflects SC State Fire’s role in supporting national incident management efforts. Our team is prepared to integrate quickly, provide experienced support, and help sustain ongoing operations in Honolulu. It reinforces our mission to be the focal point for service and support to save lives and property, both within South Carolina and beyond.” Kim Stenson, Director of South Carolina Emergency Management Division, added: “South Carolina has long been committed to supporting our partner states through EMAC. Time and again, we’ve mobilized support for communities facing disasters across the Southeast, the West Coast, and beyond.”
According to the official website, McMaster prioritized supporting South Carolinians through economic development initiatives as well as public safety measures and education programs during his tenure as governor beginning Jan. 24, 2017; he was re-elected in both 2018 and 2022 for full terms.
McMaster’s authority covers governance across all areas of state policy oversight as chief executive under South Carolina’s constitution; his office is located at the State House on Gervais Street in Columbia according to official information.
The broader impact of this deployment highlights interstate cooperation during emergencies—a principle emphasized by officials throughout this announcement.
