By Cindy Reid                                                      

We are surrounded by quiet heroes: everyday people who drive their children around, mow their lawns, clean their kitchens, barbecue on the Fourth of July, and save lives and property every day. Meet the neighbors who answer the call and deserve a standing ovation every day.

Bryan County Fire & Rescue provides emergency protection to a population of more than 50,000 citizens. Fire Chief Anthony Van Es says “Our hardworking personnel are always on call and ready to help the community 24/7, 365 days a year.” They are there whether it is a fire, a car accident, or a medical issue. Because Bryan County Emergency Services firefighters are also cross trained as medical first responder/EMT/Paramedics, they can begin administering treatment before an ambulance even arrives on scene, making them true lifesavers.

A Fast-Growing Team

As Bryan County's population increases, the department has kept pace. “We have been increasing staffing to meet the needs resulting from growth in the area,” says Chief Van Es, “Along with growth, the job has essentially changed over time. The EMS end used to be smaller, but now it is primarily what we do.”

In 2013, the department had just 34 employees. Today a team of 102 frontline professionals make up the backbone of daily operations and  includes full-time Firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics ready for any emergency. Trained local volunteers work side-by-side with the career crew, assisting with many vital services. The Director of Fire and EMS directs the entire department while two Division Chiefs oversee broad departmental operations and the  six  Battalion Chiefs manage daily shift operations and on-scene command.

The crew keeps ten stations running smoothly and operates seven active ambulances ready to roll at a moment's notice. The fire stations are strategically placed across the north and south sides of the  county to ensure help reaches residents as fast as possible.

Go Where Needed

Medical emergencies and rescue operations make up the vast majority of calls. True to national trends, active fires comprise less than 5% of the total call volume, while EMS and accident responses heavily dominate daily dispatches. Chief Van Es reports that there isn’t a 911 abuse problem in the county. On the contrary, he says “The calls we get are real emergencies.” The major areas of responsibilities and response can be broken down into four categories.

Medical Emergencies (EMS)

Includes acute medical care. High-priority calls include patients suffering from chest pains, cardiac distress, strokes, or sudden respiratory issues. Firefighters also serve as first responders to stabilize patients before transport to Savannah-area medical facilities.

Motor Vehicle Crashes & Rescues

Firefighters are dispatched to the frequent multi-vehicle collisions that occur along Interstate 95 in South Bryan and U. S. Highway 280 / Interstate 16 in North Bryan. The department also responds to vehicle extractions using specialized equipment, water rescue incidents near the coast, and localized trail rescues.

Service Calls

Public Service calls include yard debris burning, downed power lines, assessing minor residential hazards, unintentional smoke detector alarms, commercial building fire-alarm trips, and carbon monoxide detector alerts where no active emergency is found.

Fire Suppression

Most calls are for brush and wood fires, especially during droughts. The lowest volume of calls are structure & vehicle fires, such as residential kitchen fires, electrical fires, and vehicular fires on the highways.

Be Prepared

Chief Van Es says “This is generally a well-prepared community and the best thing they can do is stay alert and vigilant. Pay attention to burn bans and any emergency weather situations such as bad storms and hurricanes.”

Community Partnerships

Thanks to a partnership between Bryan County Family Connection and Bryan County Fire & Rescue, local children across the community received wonderful gifts this past holiday season via the annual Toy Drive. Residents, local shops, and emergency services all pulled together, making a meaningful difference for local families.

Bryan County Fire & Rescue was honored to receive a $39,760.00 grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation this past February. The funds went directly toward the purchase of 10 sets of Bunker Gear which include Morning Pride Tail Coats, Pro Fit Pants & Boots, helping fulfill a critical need within the department.

Bryan County Sheriff’s Office

The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) covers a lot of ground—442 square miles to be exact! As a full-service law enforcement team in Georgia, their main job is to keep everyone safe, manage the county jail, and handle court mandates. They stay busy 24/7 making sure our communities stay secure and running smoothly.

Candace Graden, the BCSO Public Information Officer, says, “We want the community to know that the Bryan County Sheriff's Office is always here to serve and protect you. If you ever need help or have a question, please give us a call. Sheriff Mark Crowe's door is truly always open to the public.”

She says, “ Every single person on our team works incredibly hard to represent the Sheriff and our community well. Because our team represents an elected official, we stay mindful of how we interact with the public. Every person we serve has a voice and a say in how their community is protected.”

When it comes to keeping watch, the patrol team is always out on the roads. They handle everything from answering 911 calls to keeping traffic flowing safely on local roads, I-95, and I-16. Meanwhile, the criminal investigations team works hard behind the scenes solving crimes. They are the main police presence for unincorporated spots like Ellabell and Black Creek, and they always have the backs of the local police departments in Richmond Hill and Pembroke.

Another huge part of their job is running the Bryan County Detention Center in Pembroke. The staff there takes care of everything for inmates and pre-trial detainees, including booking, meals, and medical care. Deputies also handle the responsibility of transporting inmates safely wherever they need to go, whether that is to a local courtroom, a medical facility, or a state prison.

The sheriff's office is also the backbone of our local legal system. If you ever visit the Bryan County Courthouse, you will see deputies keeping the environment safe for judges, staff, and visitors. They also deliver criminal warrants, civil subpoenas, protection orders, and eviction notices across the county.

The BCSO operates with a staff of roughly 75, including 53 sworn deputies dedicated to road patrol, investigations, and court security. The agency's E911 Communications Division manages thousands of monthly dispatches with a team of 15 full-time and two part-time employees. Support staff, including civilian detention officers and administration, complete the workforce.

Community Involvement

Through partnerships and interactive programs, the BCSO works to ensure every resident views officers not just as protectors, but as trusted family friends. A recent event was the “Touch-A-Truck” in June. This family-friendly gathering doubles as a major fundraiser for the Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes, an organization dedicated to providing safe, loving environments for children. Families and children got to get an up-close look at emergency vehicles, meet specialized units, and interact directly with the officers.

Major industrial developments like the Hyundai Metaplant are drawing new residents to the area and in response the BCSO has increased their community involvement with local organizations. To address language and cultural hurdles, the BCSO has an  ongoing collaboration with the World Asian Law Enforcement Council (WALEC). This partnership aims to make all residents feel comfortable approaching law enforcement. The message is clear: your background is respected, your voice will be heard, and your safety is a priority.

As the summer heat rolls in, the BCSO is taking its outreach directly to neighborhoods with the "Pops for Cops" program. An officer-driven trailer stocked with popsicles will be traveling throughout local neighborhoods, parks, and youth centers all summer long. With no agenda other than making a friendly connection, officers will be handing out cool treats, chatting with kids. Look for them!

Career Opportunities

The Sheriff’s Office is actively recruiting. No prior law enforcement experience is required and one of the biggest advantages is the sheer variety of career paths available. The workforce handles operations ranging from the cafeteria and support services to courthouse security and 911 dispatch. Recent high school graduates who are 18 or 19 years old are highly encouraged to apply for vital support roles, dispatch, or detention positions to jumpstart their careers. Sworn deputy patrol officer candidates must be at least 21 years old in accordance with state law.

Anyone interested in applying to the Sheriff’s Office can submit an application directly through the Board of Commissioners website (https://www.bryancountyga.gov)

At Bryan County Fire & Rescue a new class of recruits will start training in July so the next hiring won’t be until the beginning of next year, however anyone interested in volunteering can pick up an application at any of the emergency service stations or call 912-858-2790.

Thank You!

All of our first responders appreciate positive feedback so if you are out and about and happen to see one of these hardworking folks stop and say a simple “thank you”.  It goes a long way.