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History

Old courthouse - Copy (2)
New courthouse - Copy (2) - Copy
Sta 03-02 - Copy (2)
Sta 01-05 & 01-06 - Copy - Copy
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History and Organization

The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services was formed in 1983 to consolidate seven volunteer fire departments, four EMS units, and a civil defense organization. This decision was a direct result of the community's unified response to the 1982 arson fire at the Fayette County Courthouse.

Today, the department consists of 163 career personnel operating from nine stations across the county. We provide fire and medical services, as well as emergency management. The department has maintained an impressive average response time of less than six minutes. In 2014, we responded to over 8,500 emergency calls.

Funding and Services

  • Fire protection is funded by a fire tax and covers the unincorporated areas of Fayette County, as well as the towns of Brooks, Woolsey, and Tyrone.

  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are funded through the general tax digest and serve these same areas plus the City of Fayetteville.

  • The department is also the designated Emergency Management Agency for the county.

Modernization and Improvements

Over the years, the department has made significant strides in service, including:

  • Fleet Modernization: Our equipment meets or exceeds national safety standards, with a fleet that includes pumpers, tankers, quints, and other specialized units.

  • Station Construction: Since 1989, multiple new fire stations have been built or relocated to improve response times and meet the needs of a growing community.

  • Fire Prevention: We have an active Fire Prevention Bureau that educates the public and reviews building plans. We were the first in Georgia to require residential sprinkler systems in multi-family homes.

  • Lower Insurance Rates: Improvements in fire protection have led to a lower ISO fire classification, which has resulted in significantly lower insurance premiums for homeowners.

Innovation and Leadership

Our department has a history of innovation in emergency services:

  • Dual-Role Personnel: We pioneered the concept of cross-training all career employees as both firefighters and EMTs. This dual-role approach allows us to provide both fire and medical assistance, saving time and resources.

  • EMS Advancements: We were the first agency in Georgia to equip fire trucks with automatic defibrillators (1985) and the first to implement a statewide protocol for their use. We also led the way in using advanced medical techniques for heart attack patients and other life-threatening conditions. Our achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including two prestigious Pinnacle Awards.

  • Emergency Management: The department is a FEMA-recognized "Storm Ready Community" and has effectively led the county through five federal disaster declarations in the last 20 years, coordinating response to events like floods, tornados, and ice storms.

Timeline of Fire Department Administrative Leadership

  • November 1983 – The Departments first Fire Chief was hired, Fire Chief Larry Smith. Fire Chief Larry Smith served as the Fire Chief from 1983 until his retirement 11 years later in 1994.
  • January 1995 - Assistant Chief Jack Krakeel was named Fayette County Fire Department’s next Fire Chief and served in that role for 13 years.
  • April 2007 - The Chief of the department Jack Krakeel was asked by the Board of Commissioners to be the interim County Administrator. Chief Krakeel was appointed to the position permanently in November 2008, ending more than three decades in the fire service that included more than 25 years making the Department of Fire and Emergency Services the outstanding department that it is today.
  • November 2008 - Deputy Chief of Administrative Services, Allen McCullough, who had been serving as Interim Director of the department since Mr. Krakeel's appointment was promoted to Fire Chief and Director of the Department of Public Safety. Chief McCullough was a 30-year veteran of the department and has worked in all aspects of emergency services.
  • March 2013 - Fire Chief and Public Safety Director, Allen McCullough announced his retirement from the Department. Chief McCullough will leave a 31-year legacy of service and accomplishments especially in the areas of emergency medical services to the department and the citizens of Fayette County.
  • March 2013 - The Fayette County Board of Commissioners by executive decision directed the County Manager Steve Rapson to appoint replacements for Chief McCullough. Mr. Rapson appointed Commander David Scarbrough as the interim Fire Chief, Deputy Public Safety Director Tom Bartlett as the interim Deputy Fire Chief and Captain Pete Nelms as Division Chief and Emergency Management Director and changed Steve Folden to the rank of Division Chief of Administration.
  • June 2013 - The Board of Commissioners permanently named Chief Scarbrough and Deputy Chief Bartlett to their positions.
  • September 2019 - Deputy Chief Tom Bartlett retired after serving Fayette County for 39 years and Battalion Chief Jeff Hill named the Interim Deputy Fire Chief.
  • December 2019 – Interim Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Hill promoted to Deputy Fire Chief.
  • September 2020 – Fire Chief David Scarbrough retires from Fayette County Fire Department and Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Hill named as the Interim Fire Chief.
  • December 2020 – Interim Fire Chief Jeff Hill appointed as Fire Chief of the Department.
  • February 2021 – As the result of an organizational restructure, Battalion Chief David Peace, Division Chief Michael Pollard, and Division Chief Steven Folden appointed by the Fire Chief as Assistant Chiefs over their respective divisions.
  • July 2022 – Assistant Chief of Administration Steve Folden retired after serving Fayette County for 32 years.
  • August 2022 – Captain Scott Roberts appointed Assistant Chief of Administration

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services is proud of its accomplishments but more importantly its ability as part of Fayette County government to provide quality, cost effective and professional services to the citizens of Fayette County. It recognizes that these levels of service could not have been attained or exist without the continued support and priority that has been placed on public safety by the Board of Commissioners and the citizens of Fayette County.