Garden City Fire-Rescue enters automatic aid agreements with Chatham County Fire Dept. and Port Wentworth Fire Dept.

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – Automatic aid agreements between three local fire departments mark a major step forward for our community.

Garden City Fire-Rescue announced it has officially entered into automatic aid agreements with Chatham County Fire Department and Port Wentworth Fire Department.

What is an automatic aid agreement?

Automatic aid agreements strengthen the bond between fire departments.

As a part of this agreement, fire departments agree ahead of time to send resources across jurisdictional lines based on the type of emergency and proximity, not borders.

“Instead of waiting to ask for help after an incident escalates, the right units are dispatched immediately. That saves time, brings more staffing and equipment early, and improves outcomes for the people we serve,” explained Garden City Fire-Rescue in a social media post.

Garden City Fire-Rescue explained what the agreement will look like in action.

Agreement with Chatham County Fire DepartmentGarden City Fire-Rescue will send Truck 202 and Battalion 201 to incidents like structure fires, technical rescues, and motor vehicle accidents with entrapment and/or fire in the Chatham Fire Station 10 and Station 12 coverage areas. When more water supply is needed, Water Tender 202 will respond. In return, Chatham County Fire Department will send an Engine to help with structure fires in Garden City within the Garden City Station 2 coverage area.Agreement with Port Wentworth Fire DepartmentGarden City will send Engine 201 to all structure fires in Port Wentworth, Truck 202 will respond when it is considered to be the closest truck company. In return, Port Wentworth will send an Engine to structure fires in the Garden City Station 1 coverage area, Truck 409 will respond when it is considered to be the closest truck company.

“Fires, rescues, and serious crashes do not stop at city limits. By working together, Garden City, Chatham County, and Port Wentworth are making sure the closest and best-equipped resources are on the way without delay,” wrote Garden City Fire-Rescue. “Stronger partnerships mean safer communities, and we are proud to stand alongside our neighboring fire departments in serving the people who count on us every day.”