Chatham County Fire Department Begins Services in Unincorporated County

Lina Portman2 days ago

0 4 minutes read

The Chatham County Fire Department began providing fire services for unincorporated Chatham County today, according to a news release issued by Chatham County Public Information Officer Will Peebles.

According to the press release, the county's decision to provide fire services “is intended to ensure the best interests of Chatham County residents and to strengthen collaborative efforts between Chatham County and [Chatham Emergency Services] CES aims to foster a safer and more resilient community for all.

The press release clarifies the change in leadership structure of the Chatham County Police Department (CCPD), the Chatham County Fire Department and the transition of the county-run fire department.

The announcement comes three days after the Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted to transition CES fire services to the new Chatham County Fire Department. The Board of Commissioners voted to approve 152 firefighters, leases for 14 fire stations and purchases of associated fire apparatus and equipment.

“For the past year, County staff has been working with CES to determine the best path forward to provide fire services to our unincorporated residents. The CES Board of Directors and the Commission believe that path forward is for the County to establish a fire department. We will be transferring CES Fire Department employees to the County and leasing their fire stations to ensure uninterrupted continuity of service,” Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis said, according to the news release. “Public safety is one of the Commission’s highest priorities, and we share that priority with Chatham Emergency Services. We know this decision is in the best interest of our community.”

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History of the Chatham County Fire Department

In some areas of Chatham County, CES has been the local fire department since 1940. Historically, CES funded its operations through subscription payments collected from property owners, according to an Aug. 25, 2023, resolution previously reported by the Savannah Morning News.

In December 1988, pursuant to the August 2023 Resolution, Chatham County established fire service districts throughout the county and assigned the Southside Volunteer Fire Department to the unincorporated area of the county, including the Wilmington-Whitemarsh Fire Service District, the Skidaway-Montgomery Fire Service District, the Seventh District Fire Service District, and the Georgetown-Grove Point Fire Service District.

In 2018, CES reached out to Chatham County and “expressed a need for more assistance” with billing and collections, District 6 Commissioner Aaron “Adot” Whitely said at the August 2023 Chatham County Commission meeting. He added that the county launched a public engagement program and many people responded that they had not and would not pay the subscription fees.

In December 2021, the Board of Commissioners “expressed a strong interest in ensuring that fire protection services continue to be provided in the unincorporated area.” From there, the County Commission entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the CES to continue providing fire protection services in its designated districts.

Although the county's fiscal year 2024 budget includes $14.7 million in funding for the CES fire services contract, the CES expressed “strong concerns about its continued ability to fund fire service operations without substantial budget increases,” the resolution states.

Based on these budgetary concerns, Chatham County Executive Michael Kaigler asked the Board of Commissioners to formulate and implement a plan to transition the CES to a county government fire department.

Who is overseeing the county fire department transition?

Kaigler has appointed Chatham County Police Department (CCPD) Chief Jeff Hadley to oversee the transition and implementation of the Chatham County Fire Department from a private entity (CES) to a department of county government, according to the press release.

When the CCPD transitioned from the joint Savannah-Chatham Metro Police Department in December 2017, Hadley was hired as CCPD chief.

“I am excited to assist the County Executive’s Office in the transition of the Chatham County Fire Department,” Hadley said, according to the news release. “Over the past six months, I have had the privilege of working with county staff and Fire Chief James Vickers in the development and transition of the county’s fire services. I am confident that the development of the Chatham County Fire Department will provide the professional fire services needed by the residents of Chatham County.”

Following Hadley's departure from day-to-day operations of the CCPD, Kaigler appointed Julie Tolbert, CCPD's deputy chief, as interim chief of the CCPD. Tolbert previously served as interim chief of police for the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department before retiring and serving as deputy chief of police for the CCPD, where she commanded the criminal investigations division.

“I also strongly believe that Chief Tolbert is the ideal leader for our police department until Chief Hadley returns to the force. Having had the privilege of knowing and working with her for many years, I am deeply impressed by her deep understanding of our community. Chief Tolbert’s extensive knowledge, coupled with her exemplary leadership skills, assure me that our police department will continue to thrive and move forward in the right direction,” Kaigler said in the prepared statement.

Chatham Fire Chief James Vickers will serve as chief of the Chatham County Fire Department.

“Under the leadership of Chatham County, we are excited to continue serving our community as the new Chatham County Fire Department. This transition provides us with a valuable opportunity to enhance services through increased outreach and collaboration. By leveraging Chatham County’s strong community connections and extensive network, we will be well positioned to provide support and protection to every resident. Together, we will provide the highest level of service possible to our beloved community,” Vickers said, according to the news release.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and justice reporter for the Savannah Morning News. He can be reached at [email protected].

History of the Chatham County Fire Department

Who is overseeing the county fire department transition?

Lina Portman

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