Fire & Emergency Services

Responders Rescue Dog from Old Well

By Dilan Shoemaker
Reporter
Fayette County News

Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services rescued a dog trapped inside a vertical pipe near Grooms Road on Feb. 27, according to responders.

While on a daily walk, a couple reportedly heard a whimpering sound, which prompted a 911 call.

"There was a dog stuck between eight to 10 feet in the ground in what looked to be an old well," said FCFES Capt. Jason Anderson. "The dog was very lethargic, but luckily there was collar that had the phone number of the owner."

 The owner allegedly has been out of town and the dog was being watched by a relative who originally reported the dog missing on Feb. 11.

 "We were able to reunite the dog with his caretakers and, last I checked, he was doing well," said Anderson.

Fayette County Awarded $4.1M to Enhance Emergency Power at Crosstown Water Treatment Plant.

Fayette County, Georgia – February 14, 2025 – Fayette County was awarded a critical grant by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to upgrade the emergency has been power system at the Crosstown Water Treatment Plant. This project ensures resiliency of continuous and reliable drinking water service to approximately 120,00 customers in Tyrone, Peachtree City, Woolsey, Brooks, parts of Fayetteville, and unincorporated areas of the county.

To make application for this grant, a Hazard Mitigation Plan, approved by all the cities and towns in the county, must list mitigation projects of which this generator project was one. Because the Fayette County Fire and EMS Department worked diligently with all the municipalities, the plan met GEMA’s highest standard and reduced the Water System’s match from 10 percent to six percent. Funding for the project is distributed as follows and totals $4,156,907.26

• FEMA Share: $3,741,216.53
• State Share: $166,276.29
• Local Share: $249,414.44

The Crosstown Water Treatment Plant operates around the clock and produces approximately 9 million gallons of water per day. To maintain this level of service, the plant requires a dependable source of emergency power to protect against potential disruptions caused by weather or technical failures.

New natural-gas-powered generators will strengthen the plant’s ability to continue delivering safe drinking water during power outages, helping safeguard public health and minimize the risk of service interruptions.

Steven Rapson, County Manager said the new award will help the county.

“FEMA plays a critical role in working to prepare for and responding to natural disasters. The consequences of losing a water system are immediate and severe. These emergency generators will ensure continuous operation, maintain water quality, and protect public health and safety during outages. They also keep vital security systems running, safeguarding against potential threats to the water supply,” Rapson said.

“The Water System staff is ecstatic to have received this grant after patiently waiting four years. We look forward to getting the generators ordered and installed. We couldn’t have received this grant without the help of the County’s EMA Director, Brian Davis,” said Vanessa Tigert, Water System Director.

“The Fayette County Board of Commissioners has been incredibly supportive of the efforts of staff to pursue funding for initiatives that mitigate future threats to life and property. The Fayette County Emergency Management Agency has been tasked with making the County more resilient, and this grant is an important step toward that objective,” said Assistant Chief Brian Davis, Community Affairs and EMA Director.

“The addition of these generators will improve Fayette County’s ability to safeguard the community and strengthen the infrastructure of our water system, thereby ensuring the County is equipped to withstand future disasters. The overall preparedness of the County will soon be significantly enhanced by this award which is a direct result of the work and determination of Vanessa Tigert and her staff at the Fayette County Water System,” Davis said.

The Water System is committed to continuously improve its infrastructure and public services. The emergency power upgrade represents a significant step toward long-term resiliency and reliability.

Fayette County Water System’s mission is to provide clean, safe, and high-quality drinking water. We provide exceptional customer service to over 120,000 residents while actively preserving our vital water resources for future generations.

Fayette County Celebrates Cadet Class #50

Fayette County, Georgia – February 28, 2025 – The Fayette County Fire Department celebrated the graduation of Cadet Class #50 in a ceremony held on February 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fayette County Commission Chambers. This special occasion marked the culmination of an intense and demanding 9-month training program that prepared the cadets to become certified NPQ Firefighter II and Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT).

Graduating Cadets:

• Mary Beth Edwards
• Jeremiah Enloe
• Luke Latham
• Jacob Pinch
• Dylan Reece
• Noel Rosario
• Emma Valli

Lead Instructors:

• Lt. Daniel Lewis
• Lt. William Moore
• Lt. Scott Thomas
• Lt. Blake Townsend

"We are extremely proud of this group of individuals who have earned the privilege to serve the citizens of Fayette County and this great community," said Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill. "They have persevered to overcome extreme challenges during their training and have made it to the other side to begin their career in what I consider the best job in the world. They have joined the Fire Department family to serve with honor, integrity, and compassion to be the Guardians of our Community."

The graduation marked a significant milestone for these new first responders, who have undergone extensive Fire and EMS training. As part of the program, the cadets completed both practical and classroom instruction to ensure they were equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle emergencies with professionalism and care.

The Swearing-In Ceremony was officiated by Judge Jason Thompson, marking the official transition of the graduates from cadets to full-fledged members of the prestigious Fayette County Fire Department.

About the Fayette County Fire and EMS Department: The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is dedicated to the Protection of Life, Property and the Environment through the delivery of Quality, Cost Effective and Professional Services to the citizens of Fayette County.

Air Quality Update - 10/02/2024

The wind direction is expected to shift after sunset Wednesday. Smoke from the BioLab fire in Rockdale County will settle towards the ground as it moves toward Atlanta. There is a high likelihood that people across Metro Atlanta will observe haze Thursday morning and possibly detect a chlorine odor in the air. Throughout the evening the air will begin to settle, so each morning this cycle is expected to continue through the weekend. During the day, the air begins to rise, so the concerns will be primarily during the AM hours Thursday through Sunday for areas within and surrounding Metro Atlanta.

Data provided to Fayette County from the State of Georgia indicates that the levels of chemicals in the air are unlikely to cause harm to most people. However, individuals with respiratory issues may want to consider limiting or avoiding outdoor activities during these periods.

We will continue to post updates as they are received.

FAYETTE COUNTY FIRE AND EMS, SOUTHERN CRESCENT SIGN EDUCATIONAL AGREEMENT

Fayette County, GA – April 11, 2024 Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services signed an agreement with Southern Crescent Technical College providing transfer admission opportunities for graduates of the Fayette County Fire & Emergency Services Paramedic Program. The agreement allows Fayette County firefighters and EMS professionals to receive college credit toward a degree for the training they receive during their training.

“We are excited to join forces with Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) with an articulation agreement that provides transfer credits from our in-house Paramedic program directly into an Associate Degree of Paramedic Technology from SCTC,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill said.

“The graduates of our program are being afforded college-level opportunities that were unheard of not many years ago. We are extremely proud of our instructor cadre, led by Assistant Chief Scott Roberts and Capt. Jason Anderson, for pushing this program to its fullest extent. They have a success rate for course completion, with state and national certifications, that is among the best in Georgia. The graduates of our in-house Paramedic training program often move forward in their careers by transitioning into leadership roles progressing this department into the future. They are the true Guardians of our Community,” he said.

Dr. Irvin Clark III, President of Southern Crescent Technical College said students will benefit in a positive way.

“The agreement is important because it helps us support Fayette County Fire and EMS with giving students a pathway with earning a credential and it also allows students to finish their academic pathway without having to leave the county to earn a degree. We are excited to be able to partner with Fayette County in this regard and look forward to serving the Fayette County’s EMS and firefighters,” he said.

FAYETTE COUNTY’S ISO RATING NOW A CLASS 2/2Y FOR FIRE PROTECTION

Fayette County, GA – March 7, 2024 The Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services, along with Fayette County 911 Communications and Fayette County Water System, have been recognized with a new ISO Class 2/2Y indicating an improved level of fire protection service provided to our community.

The ISO analyzes the relevant data and assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) grade, a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents the highest level of fire protection services. The new rating will take effect on June 1.

“Thank you is never enough for our ever-supportive Citizens, Board of Commissioners, County Administrator, County staff, department leadership, firefighters, the municipalities and their leadership served by Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services, and other community stakeholders that made this achievement possible. We also thank the Insurance Services Office (ISO) for this rating in recognition of our improved services,” says Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill. “I am extremely proud of my staff and all that had a part in this significant milestone for our community, specifically Fayette County 911 Communications and the Fayette County Water System,” he said.

The Public Protection Classification (PPC) program evaluates fire protection capabilities based on factors such as fire department operations, water supply, emergency communications, and community risk reduction efforts. The ISO survey grades the following three areas:

1. Operations, training, and deployment which includes fire apparatus, equipment testing, training and the ability of the department to place adequate personnel on the scene of a building fire.
2. Emergency communications which evaluate the ability of the county to receive the call for assistance, process the information and alert the responding department, along with the department’s ability to receive the alarm with redundant communications capability.
3. The Fayette County water system which reviews the ability of the system to provide adequate water at the correct volume and pressure while maintaining accurate records of the flows and pressure.

Fayette County is one of only 66 fire departments in Georgia and 2,004 nationwide with the ISO Class 2/2Y rating. There are currently 710 Georgia fire departments and 38,195 fire departments nationwide with an ISO rating.

For over 40 years the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services has provided quality fire and emergency services to all unincorporated Fayette County, the Towns of Brooks, Tyrone, and Woolsey, as well as emergency medical services to the City of Fayetteville.

Fayette County Welcomes 17 new Firefighter Graduates

Fayette County, GA - January 4, 2024 The Fayette County Department of Fire & Emergency Services held a graduation ceremony for Recruit Class Number 48 on January 4 at the Fayette County Board of Commissioners' public meeting room. An audience full of family and friends was present to celebrate the occasion.

“We are extremely proud of this group of individuals who have earned the privilege to serve the Citizens of Fayette County and this great community,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill said. “They have persevered to overcome extreme challenges during their training and have made it to the other side to begin their career in what I consider to be the best job in the world. They have joined the Fire Department family to serve with honor, integrity, and compassion to be the guardians of our community,” he said.

The graduation and certification as NPQ Firefighter II and Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians are a culmination of a rigorous 18-month Fire and EMS training program.

Graduating cadets are: Isaac Akins, Zachary Anderson, Sarah Baxter, Jackson Bruschetti, Dillon Church, Wyatt Cochran, Alexander Davis, Brandon Drake, Trystan Green, Timothy Johnson, Dustin Lacey, Robert Nichols, Nicholas Nespoli, Tonia Powell, Morgan VanEgmond, and Taylor Williams. Graduating cadet with the Fayetteville Fire Department is Noah Maupin.

The Lead Instructors are Lt. Daniel Lewis and Lt. Scott Thomas. Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill led the graduation program. The Swearing-In ceremony was conducted by Judge Angela Landgaard.

Fayette Firefighters Reunite with Baby whose Life They Saved

Fayette County, GA – December 21, 2023 A sweet reunion might not have been possible if it wasn't for the quick action of a group of Fayette County first responders.

Fayette County, GA – A sweet reunion might not have been possible if it wasn't for the quick action of a group of Fayette County first responders.

A couple recently got the chance to thank the medics and fighters who saved their baby's life. On Nov. 12, Fayette County received a 911 call about a 7-week-old premature baby who was not breathing and was possibly in cardiac arrest.

The firefighters arrived to find the baby turning blue and not moving or breathing. The team got to work immediately and was able to quickly resuscitate the infant and rush him to the hospital.

"There is never a more intense emergency call than when a child’s life is threatened," the Fayette County Department of Fire and Emergency Services wrote on Facebook. "We are just glad these professionals were there and gave this story a happy ending."

“This is a great story to highlight the work our responders perform everyday for the community,” said Jeff Hill, Fayette County’s Fire Chief.

After the baby boy had recovered, the family reached out to thank the crews for saving their son's life and had the chance to meet the group again.

Fayette County Fire & Emergency Services Announces 2024 Citizens’ Fire Academy

The Citizens’ Fire Academy is a 10-week program designed to educate and inform citizens about the demanding field of fire, emergency medical services, and emergency management. Students will achieve a greater understanding of the inner workings of the Department. The academy will meet on Tuesday of each week from 6:30 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. The instruction includes practical demonstrations that all participants are encouraged to participate in; however, because of the voluntary nature of the program, physical limitations of applicants will not be considered a reason for exclusion from the academy. There will also be an opportunity to sign up for a ride-along with one of our fire companies as they respond to emergency calls. The next class dates are March 5, 2024 – May 7, 2024, and concludes with graduation at the Fayette County Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 5:00 P.M.

To register for the Citizens’ Fire Academy, please email Karen Rose at kirose@fayettecountyga.gov for an application, or call (770)305-5168. There are limited seats available, and applicants should reside in unincorporated Fayette County or the Towns of Tyrone, Brooks, or Woolsey. Fayette County Government employees are also welcome to join the Academy.

“This is a great opportunity to build lasting bonds between our Department and our Community, for citizens to experience the demands of a career in Fire & Emergency Services, and to witness the great lengths our members go through to make Fayette County a safe place to live, work, and play. Come “Create your Story” with us, as we create a safe community for you.” Fire Chief Jeffrey Hill