Fact sheet, firefighter program, 2019

FACT SHEET
FIREFIGHTER PROGRAM

2019

TIMOTHY C. WARD COMMISSIONER RICKY MYRICK ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FACILITIES DIVISION

The GDC Fire Services unit operates 19 fire stations in state prisons and six in county prisons across the state of Georgia. In addition, seven boot camps and probation detention centers have trained wildfire teams who assist the Georgia Forestry Commission. Inmate firefighters are certified, through O.C.G.A. Title 25,
and can be hired as career firefighters.

EMERGENCY RESPONSES IN 2017 2,818 RESPONSES

13%
MED
ASSIST

20%
GOOD INTENT

8%
OTHER
16%
BRUSH FIRES

21%
STRUCTURE
FIRES

22%
MVA

Community Impact
The Inmate Firefighter Program has a significant impact on each community they serve. Many communities throughout Georgia do not have paid firefighters, therefore, the Inmate Firefighters are a no-cost, highly skilled firefighting team who act as the sole protection for the community. The team also serves as emergency medical responders and augment single, small or limited community fire stations and services. Having the Inmate Firefighters also assists with lowering property insurance ratings for the communities they serve.

GDC Firefighter Program
The Firefighter program was established by Chief Buddy Brooks in 1963 at the Georgia Industrial Institute, now Lee Arrendale State Prison. At that time, the program consisted of one fire station, eight inmate firefighters, and one part-time staff member.
The Firefighter program provides fire protection to state property and 51 local counties and cities surrounding the 25-state and county prisons across Georgia.
Offenders receive certification through Georgia Standards and Training to become firefighters. NPQ FF1 & 2 Certification Level includes: Introduction to Fire Science, Fire Fighting Strategy and Tactics, Fire Prevention and Inspection, EMT/Emergency Medical Responder, Safety and Loss Control, and Hazardous Materials.

Criteria
Must meet criteria for outside details Must be minimum/medium security No physical limitations Must not have an arson conviction Must not have a sexual offense conviction Must have or currently working towards a
GED/high school diploma Able to read at a 10th grade level

FACT SHEET
Firefighter Program

2019

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LEE ARRENDALE STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 1 Station 1 is the only all female firefighter station in the nation. It was established 1963 with male offenders & was transitioned to a female facility in 2005. They respond to an average of 100 calls per year serving Habersham, Banks, and White counties, cities of Clarksville, Baldwin, Cornelia, and Cleveland.
GEORGIA DIAGNOSTIC & CLASSIFICATION PRISON, STATION NO. 2 Station 2 was established in the 1970s. They respond to an average of 350-400 calls annually. They serve Butts, Spalding, Monroe and Lamar counties; City of Jackson.
DODGE STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 3 Station 3 was established 1985 & was renamed Melvin Alfonso Stephens Memorial Fire Station in 2004. The station responds to an average of 125 calls annually and serves Bleckley, Dodge & Laurens counties; and, cities of Chester and Cochran.
GEORGIA STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 4 Station 4 was established in 1965 and responds to an average of 115 calls annually. They serve Tattnall & Toombs counties.
LEE STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 5 Station 5 was established in 1986 & responds to an average of 230 calls annually. They serve Lee County.
MONTGOMERY STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 6 Station 6 was established in 1999 & responds to an average of 200 calls annually. They serve Montgomery & Toombs counties.
HAYS STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 7 Station 7 was established in 1992 & they respond to an average of 500 calls annually. They serve Chattooga County; Cities of Trion and Summerville.
LONG STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 8 Station 8 was established in 1987 & the firehouse was built in 1990. They respond to an average of 125 calls annually. They serve Long and Wayne counties; the City of Jesup.
WALKER STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 9 Station 9 was established in 1980 & opened on December 3, 1992. They respond to an average of 150 calls annually. They serve Walker County; cities of LaFayette & Fort Oglethorpe.

TELFAIR STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 10 Station 10 was established in 1992 & responds to an average of 125 calls annually. They serve Telfair & Wheeler counties; cities of Jacksonville and McRae.
HANCOCK STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 11 Station 11 was established in early 1991 and responds to an average of 30 calls annually. They serve Hancock & Washington counties; City of Sparta.
WARE STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 12 Station 12 was established in March 2008 and responds to average of 150 calls per year. They serve Ware County & the City of Waycross.
JOHNSON STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 14 Station 14 was established in March 1993 & responds to an average of 125 calls annually. They serve Johnson, Washington and Emanuel counties; City of Wrightsville.
CALHOUN STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 15 Station 15 was established in August 1994 & responds to an average of 125 calls annually. They serve Calhoun County and City of Morgan.
MACON STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 16 Station 16 was established in June 1994 & responds to an average of 200 calls annually. They serve Macon County and cities of Montezuma, Oglethorpe, Ideal and Marshallville. And through the Seven-County Regional E911 serves all the cities and counties that border Macon Co. when requested.
WILCOX STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 17 Station 17 was established in October 1994 & responds to an average of 100 calls annually. They serve Wilcox County.
AUTRY STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 18 Station 18 was established in September 1993 & responds to an average of 300-350 calls annually. They serve Mitchell County.
DOOLY STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 19 Station 19 was established in 1995 & responds to an average of 260 calls annually. They serve Dooly County.
SMITH STATE PRISON, STATION NO. 20 Station 20 was established in 2016 and serves Tattnall and Long County; City of Glenville.