Our condolences to the Anderson family and the Surfside Beach, South Carolina Fire Department. Assistant Chief Tom Anderson, 48, a 22 year veteran of the Surfside Beach Fire Department died Monday, January 21, 2002. Tom was interior command in a 2 story beach front condo structure fire. When inside the building he was stricken with an apparent heart attack and collapsed. He was removed and transported to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

     Chief Andersen had been with the Surfside Beach Fire Department since 1979 and had started as a firefighter. He rose in the ranks and became Assistant Chief as well as the departments training officer and a regular instructor at the South Carolina Fire Academy.

     Tom is survived by his father Joseph, two sisters and a brother. There will be an informal gathering at Goldfinch Funeral Home-Beach Chapel Area Wednesday, January 23, 6-8PM, and a firefighter's funeral with full honors Thursday, January 24, 3PM, at the United Methodist Church in Surfside Beach. Any apparatus joining the procession from the funeral home on the Highway 17 Bypass should arrive by 2PM, to proceed to the church. A memorial fund has been established and donations can be made to: