Firefighter leaves legacy in Hampton County

Instrumental in the creation of the Hampton County Fire Department in 1990, Eugene “Gene” Rushing passed away at his home in Estill last week after battling an extended illness. During his time as chief, Rushing became a mentor to many young firefighters who have since taken the torch lit by Rushing and continue to strive to provide state-of-the-art fire safety measures to the residents of Hampton County.

The former Mikell’s International employee and county fire chief greatly appreciated the need for fire safety in the outlying areas of the county, hence his unwavering determination to convince the county to create a centralized county fire department, but he also understood the importance of local municipality’s ability to provide aide to their residents, as well. Rushing was admired by local fire chiefs for the support he offered their departments and the guidance and wisdom he provided them on an individual basis as a friend.

Rushing is well known by firefighters from Hampton to Columbia for his gruff, straightforward classroom etiquette during his time as an educator. He was known to offer instructional courses to firefighters whenever he was asked to do so, no matter how far the drive or how few the number of students who would be attending.

One of the most important lessons Rushing taught his young firefighters was the need for a loving and understanding spouse. He would tell the young men and women firefighters they needed to be strong, but their spouses would need to be stronger. Rushing understood employment as a firefighter was more than just that: it was a lifestyle.

Often, the spouses of firefighters are required to act as the pillar of their family. Rushing would make sure potential applicants and their spouses, including current Hampton County Fire Chief Greg Cook, understood the gravity of the decision to become a firefighter. Long nights apart and the missing of important milestones in the life of a child should be expected of those called to assist individuals unable to help themselves.

According to Town of Brunson Fire Chief Kenny Harrison, Rushing understood firsthand the importance of an unwaveringly dedicated spouse after years of witnessing the hardships his career placed on his own wife, who was the glue which held his family together as he traveled to teach courses across the state or leave at a moment’s notice to respond to calls for help.

A testament to the influence Rushing had upon his children as a father, several of his children followed in his footsteps and became firefighters. His son Ben is currently a Captain for the Bluffton Fire Department. Ben, like his father, is a dedicated individual and spends his off time volunteering with Hampton County fire departments.

“It was almost like having another daddy,” said Harrison. “He had this wit about him and he had a colorful way of telling you to do things. If you were doing a good job, he wouldn’t say a word. But if you weren’t, you would know it shortly thereafter. He meant a lot to the fire services around here, and he’s meant a lot to me.”

Rushing came from a generation of firefighters who entered homes without the safety gear now required of firefighters. Rushing came from a generation who would battle raging fires by holding their breath and entering homes with only the protection of a soaked trench coat.

“Not many people [within the firefighting community] don’t know Gene Rushing,” said Cook. “He was always there if you needed him. He had deep ties to the community, and even deeper ties to his firefighters.”

“Emergency services and 911 here in Hampton County, that’s the house that Gene built. We’ve got what we have right now because of Gene. He was the right man at the right time to make it happen,” said Hampton County Administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott of Rushing’s role in the creation of the county fire department. “It was all done with handshakes; he made it work.”

“He was truly one-of-a-kind,” she said. “And when he told you he was going to do something, he made it happen. He’s left a legacy here in Hampton County.”