Emergency Services

2008 Strategic Plan for Gilmer County Emergency Services
May 15th - Burn Ban
May 15th - Wild Fire Situation Update Media Release

Emergency Services
Robert Webber, Director
Telephone: (706) 635-4620
Fax: (706) 635-4659
Email
Fire Department
Tony Pritchett, Fire Chief
Telephone: (706) 635-1333
Fax: (706) 635-1334
Email
Fire Headquarters / Fire Station 1
1561 South Main Street, Suite 3
Ellijay, Georgia 30540
Emergency Medical Services
Leslie Marshall, Director
Telephone: (706) 635-4620
Fax: (706) 635-4659
Email

Mission Statement

It is the Mission of the Gilmer County Fire & Emergency Services to protect the life and property of the citizens whom we serve from Fire, Disaster, and Medical Emergency.

We will uphold the traditions of the emergency services by maintaining an atmosphere that encourages team work, safety, innovation, professional development, and diversity.

Protecting lives and property and diminishing suffering are our goals. We will equally serve all citizens with the highest level of compassion and understanding.

Our commitment shall be unwavering!

Department Information

The Gilmer County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is a multi-divisional emergency response agency that encompasses the Gilmer County Fire Services, the Gilmer County Emergency Medical Services and the Gilmer County Office of Emergency Management.

Gilmer County Fire Services (GCFS)

The Gilmer County Fire Services (GCFS) is a Combination Fire Department that employs one Administrative Assistant, one Fire Prevention Officer, 3 Shift Officers, 3 full-time and 6 regular part-time firefighters working 3 separate shifts of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. As of December 1st 2006 the department's volunteer firefighter membership census was 72. The department currently maintains 10 fire stations, with plans to erect 1 new fire service headquarters and 9 new fire stations over the next 1-3 years. The department currently has a mixed fleet of apparatus consisting of 7 Engines, 3 Tankers, 5 Tenders, 1 Ladder Truck, 2 Squads (mini-pumpers), 1 Air & Light Truck with a mobile cascade system and miscellaneous other specialty apparatus and command vehicles. The department is currently awaiting delivery of four new 2000 gallon capacity; 1250 gallons per minute pump, tanker trucks. Additional apparatus will be purchased as new fire stations are constructed. For the future the department envisions that 40% of the department will consist of career firefighters, 40% will consist of volunteer firefighters, and the residual 20% will consist of support volunteer firefighters.

Volunteer firefighters and support volunteer firefighters are not compensated for call response, but are reimbursed for attending and complying with the department's training requirements. Currently, the department is undergoing the second phase of an 18 month tactical equality program. The tactical equality program is based in part on the International Association of Fire Chiefs "Red Ribbon Report." This report is a guide for combination and volunteer fire departments who are experiencing the recent trend of volunteerism decline. Tactical equality is the process of training all fire personnel to the same level. Hence a firefighter is a firefighter is a firefighter, regardless of status as a career firefighter or volunteer firefighter. The decline in volunteer base is not a local problem, but one of National concern. Gilmer County Fire Service volunteer firefighters are afforded additional benefits such as: quality personal protective gear, clothing allocations, the opportunity to participate in the State of Georgia Firefighters Pension Fund and the Woodmen of the World's homeland heroes' life insurance survivorship benefit program. Additionally, volunteer firefighters that serve with the department are able to be part of a family-oriented organization that focuses on civic pride and duty that serves the community.

The 2007-01 firefighter recruit school commenced in the beginning of April 2007. The department hopes to graduate 12 students from this course trained to the level of NPQ-1 structural firefighter. Currently, the department is seeking candidates to fill the 2007-02 firefighter recruit class. The 2007-02 firefighter recruit school will commence in June of 2007 (official date to be announced.) Please complete the volunteer application form and background check form available on this web page and submit it to Fire Station 1 / Fire Headquarters no later than June 1st 2007. This class is not limited to residents of Gilmer County and is open to other jurisdictions and agencies.

Gilmer County Emergency Medical Services (GCEMS)

The Gilmer County Emergency Medical Services (GCEMS) provides quality advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care and non-emergency patient transport to the citizens of Gilmer County. The GCEMS employs 3 Shift Officers and three 2-person Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulance crews working 3 separate shifts of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. This division is one of the premiere EMS agencies in Northwest Georgia. The GCEMS is host to a state-of-the-art mass-causality incident truck and trailer that can accommodate the treatment of 100 adult and 50 pediatric patients of any minor or major multi-victim/patient incident.

As with the other emergency service divisions of Gilmer County the GCEMS holds ongoing training in the highest regard. Many basic and advanced level specialty courses are taught by the GCEMS. Community CPR is offered on a monthly basis, and 4 medical first responder courses are offered to the public annually. A copy of the GCEMS training schedule is available on this web page. To sign up for a class, please contact the Fire & Emergency Services Headquarters at 706-635-1333.

Gilmer County Office of Emergency Management (GCOEM)

The Gilmer County Office of Emergency Management (GCOEM) is responsible for all Hazard Mitigation for Gilmer County and the Cities of Ellijay and East Ellijay. The GCOEM has a 16-person core volunteer roster. Hazard Mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency management. Hazard Mitigation is sustained action to alleviate or eliminate risks to life and property from natural or man-made hazardous events. Every disaster has a human side; the victims, as well as the responders and volunteers who reach out and lend a helping hand when emergencies occur. With this in mind, the GCOEM's mission is clear. Our efforts in the areas of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery are carried out with the clear understanding that when all is said and done – it is truly all about people. The GCOEM is responsible for establishing and maintaining a comprehensive emergency operations plan. This plan is developed to ensure mitigation and preparedness, appropriate response and timely recovery from natural and manmade hazards which may affect the residents of Gilmer County and other Georgians. All actions undertaken by the Gilmer County Office of Emergency Management focus on the protection of lives and property, with special sensitivity toward victims and their families. The GCOEM and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) encourages education and training to prepare the citizens of Gilmer County to respond to an emergency or disaster in the most cost-efficient manner.

The GCOEM boast one of the only certified level-II Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams in the State of Georgia and serves as a GEMA field-delivered course teaching and testing site.

Forms

Gilmer County Fire and EMA Links