By Mari Radtke
Marcus Fire Chief, Clay Leavitt sits as the Marcus Fire Chief. He was elected to that position by the membership of the department. He took the chair in March or 2024. Membership of the Marcus Fire Department is 30 members strong, and is a full roster.
The Marcus Fire and Ambulance is a single organization. Out of its 30 members, 2 are junior members. A junior member is a student under 18, approved by the membership, the city council and parents. After 18, junior members may be approved by the members for full membership. All of the members are firefighters, 23 are Firefighter Is, 9 are Firefighter II’s and 22 are also EMTs Ð they are licensed to provide some emergency medical care and transport to a hospital. Four members are female.
Clay says the department is “extremely blessed. ”
He acknowledged good leadership through the years. Many of the members have been on the department for 20 or 25 years.” He is concerned about any upcoming retirements.
As chief his duties are unlimited but focused on running meetings, setting the budget and is the officer in charge at a scene.
For the budget, funds come from city and township tax revenue, Cherokee County Supervisors and very well supported by the community. They hold an annual chili feed at Christmas that really draws a crowd. Clay was generous pointing out the many things that the supporters of the fire department have allowed them to provide. The facility is excellent with a new addition recently and a comfortable meeting room. The expansion provided 2 bathrooms with showers. The showers were added not just as amenities for the hardworking rescuers, but also in the event of a family or multiple families finding themselves displaced for a period of time. The Fire Station could serve to provide assistance with daily living such as showers or a kitchen.
Training can be costly and is required. In 2024 the Marcus Fire Department held 500 hours of training. Each EMT is required to collect 20 CEUs annually and the firefighters need 24 CEUs annually to maintain license and/or certification.
With all of the wonderful tools the Marcus Fire Department has, plans are always underway to maintain or improve the tools. A new truck is on the agenda for 2026. Leavitt says conversations with the Supervisors will begin soon for a down payment. Trucks are on a 20-year cycle.
Legacy Foundation, a Cherokee County grant source has also been great. Because of them the station has a generator hookup. Plans all the way through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are in place between Marcus Fire Department and Cherokee County Emergency Management Administration (EMA). The MOU simply is an agreement in which Cherokee County will provide a generator to the facility in the event of need. If there is a conflict, Schmillen Construction is a backup.
The Fire Department will provide a fun visit to the youngest grades teaching fire safety and what to do at home.