Pine Ridge Fire Department strives to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, any perceived violations should be directed to our ADA Coordinators who will address such concerns per the grievance procedures below.

This grievance procedure is established to meet the requirements of the ADA of 1990. It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination based on disability in the provision of service, activities, programs, or benefits by Pine Ridge Fire Department.

The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint, will be made available with disabilities upon request.

The complaint should be submitted by the grievant and/or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than forty-five (45) business days after the alleged violation to:

For employment matters:
Janene Schmidt
ADA Coordinator for Employment Matters
Deputy Chief, Administrative Division
Telephone: 843-875-1822
Email: jschmidt@pineridgefd.org
565 Myers Road, Summerville, SC 29486

For public access Matters:
Matthew Myers
ADA Coordinator for Public Access
Assistant Chief - Logistics, Safety, & Risk Management
Telephone: 843-875-1822
Email: mmyers@pineridgefd.org
565 Myers Road, Summerville, SC 29486

Within ten (10) business days after receipt of the complaint, the appropriate ADA Coordinator or his/her designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions. Within ten (10) business days of the meeting, the appropriate ADA Coordinator or his designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print or audio tape. The response will explain the position of Pine Ridge Fire Department and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

If the response by the appropriate ADA Coordinator or his designee does not satisfactorily resolve the issue, the complainant and/or his/her designee may appeal the decision within ten (10) business days after the receipt of the response to Fire Chief Ben Waring or his designee.

Within ten (10) business days after receipt of the appeal, Fire Chief Ben Waring or his designee will meet with the complainant to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions. Within ten (10) business days after the meeting Fire Chief Ben Waring or his designee will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

All written complaints received by Pine Ridge Fire Department, as well as any appeals/responses received by Pine Ridge Fire Department, will be retained by the Administrative Division, Records Office, for at least three (3) years.