The Irmo Fire District was formed in 1963 as a Special Purpose District. Throughout the years, the patch design has changed and evolved as The District has grown.
Patch from 1963-1974
The very first Irmo Fire District patch featured the "firefighter bee". This design was believed to be chosen because the mascot of Irmo High School is the Yellow Jacket.
Patch from 1974-1990
In 1974, the Irmo Fire District became part of the Lexington County Fire Service and was designated Station 17. This county patch was used until 1990.
Patch from 1990-2003
In 1990, the Irmo Fire District separated from the Lexington County Fire Service. This separation brought about the need for a new patch design. Yellow and black were incorporated into this design to represent the color of Irmo High School. Additionally, the various forms of service provided by the Irmo Fire District were represented: Fire, Medical, and Rescue.
Patch from 2003-Present
In 2002, Irmo Fire District grew from a one-station department into a two-station department. Due to this new growth, we felt that it was time to update our station patch. A committee was formed to head up this project so that the new patch would reflect not only the mission of the Fire District, but also the qualities of an Irmo Firefighter. This patch was adopted in 2003. The firefighters and engineers wear the gray patch, and the officers wear the gold patch.
This patch includes some of the following details: The color gray represents Victory. The color red represents Courage. The four principles of Integrity, Courage, Loyalty & Honor comes from the eight obligations of the knights “Cross of Calvary”, which was later called the “Maltese Cross”. The purple front on the helmet is from the high recognition of the expensive and honorable color which St. Florian wore in battle. 9-11-01 Represents the fallen brothers past, present, and future.
Patch from 2008-Present
In 2008, Headquarters station adopted the "Keep On Truckin" patch for their station patch. The firefighter in the patch is carrying a hook and vent saw, and sports the classic-looking firefighter mustache. The hook has torn through the upper banner, and represents that fact that firefighters can break most anything. South Carolina is represented by our state flag which includes the classic crescent moon and palmetto tree on a pleasant looking field of indigo. This flag helps to inspire our state motto, “Dum spiro spero”… which is Latin for “While I breathe, I hope”.
Patch from 2009-Present
In 2009, Northlake adopted the "Engine 2" patch as their station patch. During WWII, B-25's did practice runs over Lake Murray. During this training, some planes crashed and sank to the bottom of Lake Murray. In 2005, one of these B-25's was recovered. Lake Murray is featured on this patch as well as the B-25. On the B-25 is "343" for the number of firefighters that lost their lives on 9-11, the "C9" is for the Charleston 9, and "Joe" is in memory of one of our former firefighters. The famous crescent moon and palmetto tree is also featured on this patch in an homage to our state of South Carolina.
Patch from 2021-Present
In 2021, Our HQ station adopted the "We Do It All" patch for their station patch. The main body of the design features a yellow jacket representing Irmo High School, which is in their primary coverage area. Down the sides of the patch, the words "always stretching" are written to describe the aggressive strategies taken on by the headquarters firefighters. Lastly, on top of the patch, the slogan "We Do It All" is featured describing the ethos adopted by HQ.2009-PresentPatch from 2022-Present
In 2020 the IFD opened up the Childs Street fire station. With this new station opening the three IFD companies were each in their own firehouse. The Crews of Ladder 175 redesigned their Ladder Company patch paying tribute to Irmo’s past. The patch incorporates the same firefighter from the previous patch except this time he is the Engineer of a train. This train is a recreation of the original Columbia, Newberry and Laurens railroad train that ran through Irmo in the 1800 and 1900s. The town of Irmo was incorporated in 1890 and named after Captain C.J. Iredell and Henry Moseley whose names are printed on the train in the patch. The term Hook & Ladder refers to the ladder company itself bringing both hooks and an aerial ladder to the scene. This term originated in early days of firefighting when ladder carts were pulled with long hooks which were also used for pulling roof material or walls down. The remainder of the patch shows a saw and hook and ladder. Tools specific to a ladder company and its operations.