About

The Southeastern Chapter National Safety Council was organized in 1961 and began as a response to the growing concern that the number of people being killed and injured in collisions in the Charleston area.

In its early years, it was known as the Greater Charleston Safety Council and incorporated as a non-profit corporation. Our name has changed several times over the course of our history but our commitment to safety has remained steadfast. From the beginning, the Council has been a chartered Chapter of the National Safety Council. 

Charleston Origins | 1962

Collaborative Partner

We were first known as the Greater Charleston Safety Council which was closely associated with the City and County of Charleston and military installations in the area. Our first Executive Director was a retired Navy Captain, W.C.P. Bellinger. 

National Recognition

During these years, public officials and the Council met regularly and made decisions mutually. The Council received national recognition at the 1962 National Safety Council Congress in Chicago as the only Council in the country to follow all recommended steps for establishing a local council. 

Leaders in Driver's Safety | 1966

Foundation in Driver's Education

In 1966, the Council was a major force in improving driver's education and driver safety with the following initiatives: 

• Formed the traffic violators school, which trained high school teachers as driver education instructors.
• Arranged for auto dealers to provide new, dual-control cars to schools (free of charge).
• Raised the pay scale for local police.
• Adopted the American Bar Association's four-part traffic ticket in the Charleston area. 

Community Investment in Council

After issues with funding, the Board of Directors secured sufficient funding from the community. Thanks to a number of key organizations—including the City, United Fund (United Way) and others—the Council was able to hire a full-time staff and initiate work that continues to this day. 

Statewide Expansion | 1984

New Name Reflects SC Expansion

In 1984, the Board of Directors changed the Council's name to the Palmetto Safety Council and requested the National Safety Council to expand its Charter to include the entire state of South Carolina. 

Headquarters Established in Columbia

Between 1987-1988, the Board of Directors decided to open an office in Columbia and eventually move the corporate office to the capital city. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo destroyed the Charleston office and the Council then moved to Columbia as well. 

Joint Membership with NSC

The same year, we created a joint membership arrangement with the National Safety Council to better serve our members. In 1991, we changed our name to reflect this mission becoming the Palmetto Chapter National Safety Council. 

Growing Footprint in SC | 1990-2000s

At the Annual Meeting in 1997, Membership voted to change the Council's operation name to South Carolina Chapter, National Safety Council. 

Training Facilities in SC

In 2011, the Council built an administrative office and training facility in Irmo SC. The 4,000-square-foot fully owned facility housed both staff and classroom space. But the organization quickly outgrew this space. Just two years later in 2013, SCNSC built and opened a state-of-the-art 6,500-square-foot Training Center across the street from its Irmo headquarters. 

Alive at 25 Launch | 2007

Deadly Year on the Roads

In 2007, SC had one of the worst years on the highway with 1,077 deaths with 25% in the 15-24 age group. These statistics included six students from Dutch Fork High School in Irmo SC who died due to poor decisions behind the wheel. 

Alive at 25 Reverses Troubling Trends

In response, SCNSC launched Alive at 25. The program is now in over 40% of South Carolina public high schools, serving 17,000 students annually. The program has served over 230,000 students, making it the Council's largest, most well-known program. During this time period, traffic fatalities have reduced by 36% statewide. 

Georgia Expansion | 2016

New Name & Service Area

In 2016, the Board of Directors voted to change the name to Southeastern Chapter National Safety Council. The name change reflects SCNSC's expansion into Georgia and interest in reaching underserved areas in the Southeast. During a 2017 task force meeting, the board and staff established a new mission, a vision and long-term goals for the Council's future. 

New Training Facility in GA

in 2020, SCNSC opened a new 5,000-square-foot training facility in Atlanta GA to better serve its expanding territory. The Georgia Learning Center is the primary host site for Workplace Safety, Defensive Driving and Emergency Care training courses for Georgians.