Submitted by his Wife

Rodney Bradford ‘Brad’ Baity
Charleston Fire Department – South Carolina
Classification: Career
Rank: Engineer
Date of Death: June 18‚ 2007
Age: 37

Rodney Bradford Baity‚ always known as ‘Brad’‚ was the Engineer at Station 19 for the Charleston Fire Department. On Monday‚ June 18‚ 2007‚ this loving‚ soft-spoken man would become part of a group that is now known as The Charleston Nine.

Brad was born on September 16‚ 1969 in Mocksville‚ NC to James and Dorothy Baity. The youngest of three children‚ Brad had two older siblings Jimmy and Sharon.

Brad’s fire service actually began while serving in the United States Marine Corp. His MOS was Crash Crew Rescue Aircraft Firefighting. While in the Marine Corp he met his wife Heather. In 1997 Brad joined the James Island Fire Department before being hired onto the Charleston Fire Department in September of 1998. Brad moved quickly through the ranks to engineer in the CFD. His friends at the station recognize that Brad was not a man of many words‚ but a man of action. He also received the reputation as the prankster of the crew and playing jokes with a straight face. Brad also received his associate’s degree in fire science while at the Charleston Fire Department. Brad was an executive board member serving as treasurer for the Local 61 firefighter’s union starting in January 2004 until his death.

Brad also had jobs on his off-duty days. Becoming a jack of all trades through the years‚ he did electrical‚ painting‚ and construction work. He also was a stagehand and member of the IATSE union.

We were blessed with two children Mariah and Noah. As a father‚ he was a gentle giant who always spoke kind‚ encouraging words to his children. He was the type of father who just got down and played on the floor with his kids and laughed. Mariah and Noah remember their father always playing basketball and soccer with them in the back yard. Both of them remember Daddy being a big kid pretending to be a giant worm chasing them around the house just acting goofy.

Brad was the ideal husband. Always loving‚ supportive‚ and helpful in every way‚ he was my true companion and was totally dedicated to his family. As his wife of nearly 14 years‚ it is the quiet soul bearing talks and the way he would always calm me down and give me peace that I will hold close to my heart.

No words can express how intently Brad is missed by his family and friends. He was the type of man you could always count on and trust no matter what the situation. Brad was truly a man after God’s own heart always putting others before himself.