Beginning Tuesday, July 1, fire protection responsibilities for Bulloch County’s Five Mile Fire District will officially transition from the City of Statesboro to the Bulloch County Fire Department. The change marks the end of a decades-long intergovernmental agreement that has governed fire service in the area since 1978.
The Five Mile Fire District—formally known as the Statesboro Fire Tax District—was established to provide fire and rescue coverage for unincorporated areas located within roughly five road miles of a Statesboro fire station. For over four decades, the Statesboro Fire Department provided full emergency response services to this area, funded by a special fire millage collected by the county and passed through to the city. In FY 2024, that tax generated approximately $2.59 million and helped cover more than 400 calls for service. It also made up about 35% of the city fire department’s annual budget.
Following a vote by the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners, the county opted not to renew the agreement upon its expiration on June 30. Instead, the county will assume full operational control of the district starting July 1. County officials cited the move as part of a broader strategy to consolidate emergency response operations, reinvest local tax dollars into county-controlled infrastructure and staffing, and respond more directly to the county’s growing service demands.
County Expands Fire Services Ahead of Transition
In anticipation of the transition, the Bulloch County Fire Department has significantly expanded its capabilities. The department operates as a combination agency, with both career and volunteer personnel covering 590 square miles through 14 fire stations. Three of those—Brooklet, Portal, and Register—have historically been staffed full-time. In June, Station 9 off Clito Road became the fourth fully staffed location.
To support the expanded coverage area, the Board of Commissioners approved the hiring of 37 new full-time firefighters earlier this year. That includes 11 new firefighters who formally graduated in a ceremony held just days before the transition. Additional station expansions are underway, including one near Elmer Phillips Road, in an effort to improve response times and boost ISO ratings across the district.
According to county officials, improving ISO classifications is a top priority. While the Statesboro Fire Department holds a Class 2 rating, Bulloch County Fire currently holds an ISO rating of 4/4Y for properties within five miles of a staffed station and Class 10 outside that radius. The county hopes that recent upgrades in staffing and infrastructure will help move that rating closer to parity in the coming years.
In FY 2024, the Bulloch County Fire Department responded to more than 3,500 calls. Its long-term funding strategy includes the use of a countywide fire tax district, approved earlier this spring to replace both the Statesboro and Rural Fire Tax Districts. Under the new structure, the existing 3.0 millage rate remains in effect for all areas, including the former Five Mile District, but now supports county-operated services and infrastructure directly.
Expanded Coverage and EMS Support
As part of the ramp-up to the July 1 transition, county fire and EMS personnel have increased their readiness across the district. On-duty staffing the night before the changeover included 22 career firefighters supported by volunteer personnel. In addition, Bulloch County EMS has begun staffing an ambulance at Fire Station 16 on Highway 67, a move aimed at improving response times and providing more immediate care in the area.
End of Automatic Aid Between City and County
One major operational shift tied to the transition is the end of the automatic aid agreement between the Statesboro and Bulloch County fire departments. Under the former arrangement, both agencies were dispatched to structure fires within the shared service area, ensuring overlapping coverage. That agreement ends with the expiration of the intergovernmental agreement.
Instead, the departments will now operate under a mutual aid arrangement. Assistance may still be requested between agencies, but it will no longer be automatic. City officials declined to enter into a new automatic aid agreement, and the county has restructured its dispatch and 911 coverage to ensure that residents within the former Five Mile District continue to receive uninterrupted fire protection.
County officials have repeatedly stressed that the level of service will not decrease with the transition. With dedicated personnel, expanded station coverage, and enhanced communication systems, the Bulloch County Fire Department is positioned to provide consistent emergency response across the district.
What Residents Should Know
Residents living in the Five Mile Fire District will now receive fire protection services directly from the Bulloch County Fire Department. All fire-related dispatches and emergencies are now routed through the county’s 911 system. Homeowners may wish to check with their insurance providers to determine if the transition affects their premiums, particularly in areas farther from a staffed station.
The existing fire tax remains in place, but all revenues will now stay within the county system to fund fire operations, including staffing, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
While city officials have expressed appreciation for their role in serving the area for more than four decades, county leaders say the transition represents a step toward long-term sustainability, financial efficiency, and greater responsiveness to the needs of Bulloch County residents. Additional announcements regarding service enhancements and ISO reclassifications are expected in the coming months.
