The Williamsburg County Fire Department was founded in the mid 1980's, with the first documented training class being held on January 1, 1986.

Clyde "Red" Spillers was the first chief.

Williamsburg County Fire Department operated 5 stations for years until another 7 were finished in the late 1980's, at that time 12  CF600 Mack engines were bought from the New York City Fire Department. The engines had to be completely refurbished before they could be put in service.

At this time, WCFD  had 3 full-time personnel; a Chief, administrative assistant, and a mechanic, with the remainder of the personnel being completely volunteer.

In 1996, WCFD completed construction of 2 new stations in the Suttons and Cedar Creek area of the county, also purchased and renovated a building in Kingstree for Headquarters station, and administrative offices, bringing the total to 15 stations.

In 1998, 7 new engines were purchased to relieve some of the aging fleet of trucks, some that were still used as main attack engines. Some of the older Mack engines continue service as tankers.

And in 2004, 8 new Kenworth engines were purchased, with another prized equipment purchase coming in early 2005; a 100' Pierce-Arrow aerial ladder truck.