Firefighters to meet at Statehouse to back safety

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters are scheduled to converge at South Carolina’s Statehouse to concentrate on bills that affect public safety.

The South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association says around 500 firefighters from around the state are scheduled to meet in Columbia on Wednesday.

The group says it’s also inducting Sen. John Land and Rep. Roland Smith into the Society of the Maltese Cross. Organizers say the society honors members of the General Assembly who have supported public safety efforts.