This week’s Spotlight is Logan Hiott, a lieutenant at Walterboro Fire Department. Hiott was born and raised in Colleton County and plans on living and working here as long as he can. After graduating Colleton County High School, he started out working at a local gym as a receptionist and then moved to California for a while. He came back to Walterboro and took a job at the airport.
In 2021 he became a firefighter. He was inspired by his brother, who also works in firefighting and is now working on the federal level. Logan enjoys the job’s flexible schedule, the sense of purpose, and the community outreach, particularly with children. “Kids come to the fire station sometimes, and anytime we see a kid, we offer to take them to see the fire truck and tour the station.”
He is certified as an engineer/driver operator and aspires to become a fire instructor. Being in a smaller fire department it allows the flexibility to learn and work in all aspects of firefighting. Hiott aspires to sit in a policy position. He also has spent time helping to advance and build the program at WFD and assist in upgrading the department any was he can.
He says, the flexible schedule gives him a lot of time off with his family, including his child and girlfriend. Logan says, “I come to work fresh and rejuvenated to actually do the job.” In addition, he likes the brotherhood that comes with it.
Outside of work, he enjoys home life, Jiu Jitsu and has trained in Jiu Jitsu here locally for 14 years, and video games. As a self-admitted homebody, the newest part of his homebody lifestyle is the purchase of a new home. He comments, “I just bought a house, and I’m trying to enjoy every wall of that house.”
Logan advises aspiring firefighters to visit departments and experience the job to understand its rewards. “You just need to pull the trigger and do it. There’s a lot of people are scared to take the first step, and some people just don’t know what it entails. But you can just come here, and you talk to the guys and realize what a great job this is. That’s what I would encourage. It’s coming and talking to the firefighters, even if you don’t want to do it, try to research it and see around in the area of public safety, police or fire.
