Charleston firefighters say they have spent years dealing with mold, water damage, pests and unsafe conditions inside fire stations while city leaders failed to properly address the problems.
Firefighters Report Years of Problems
According to hundreds of emails obtained through a public records request, firefighters repeatedly reported mold and maintenance issues at several Charleston fire stations dating back years.
Since 2024, two stations were temporarily closed after positive mold tests. Firefighters say the concerns existed long before those closures.
Former firefighter Robert Tackett said crews regularly dealt with mold, leaking water and extreme heat inside stations. He claims firefighters were frustrated because repairs were delayed or incomplete.
Claims of Retaliation
Tackett also alleged he faced retaliation after speaking out about conditions at Station 9, including being transferred after reporting problems with mold and air conditioning.
Charleston Fire Department leaders denied retaliation claims and said complaints are investigated when reported.
Health Concerns Raised
Firefighters said mold exposure caused health problems for some employees, including sinus issues, fatigue and inflammation. Emails reviewed in the investigation showed several firefighters sought medical treatment related to possible mold exposure.
An industrial hygiene expert involved in the report said mold can continue returning if water leaks and moisture problems are not properly fixed.
Other Issues at Stations
In addition to mold, firefighters reported problems including termites, sewage backups, rats, cockroaches and flooding at some stations.
City officials said they take station safety seriously and work to address problems, though they acknowledged communication with firefighters could improve.
The investigation found that at least 12 of Charleston’s 17 fire stations had mold concerns raised at some point since 2017.
