Telfair County opens new emergency services complex to improve response times

New centralized facility brings fire, EMS, and law enforcement together to speed up emergency response

TELFAIR COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new chapter in public safety is underway in Telfair County as leaders prepare to open a centralized law enforcement and emergency services complex.

After decades of planning, the new facility brings fire, EMS and law enforcement together in one location.

Fire Chief and EMA Director James Atkins says the department has transitioned to 24-hour service and is already seeing faster response times.

“The first couple calls we had when we first went active as far as 24 hours, one of them was to assist a neighboring county, and we was there in no time,” he said. “The other two calls was like 1.6 miles from the station when they would have been responding from town eight to nine miles. We was 1.6 miles; that’s a big difference.”

With crews now stationed closer to emergencies and operating around the clock, officials say help is arriving faster when it matters most.

Telfair County Sheriff Sim Davidson says bringing all departments together was a key decision by county leaders.

“Commissioners as a body decided that they wanted to do this, bring everybody together,” he said. “I think that’s one of the strongest points is that everything is located here. You got your emergency services and law enforcement, and this is the literal center of Telfair County, so this is great as far as response times.”

Officials say having all agencies in one place is expected to continue improving response times across the county.

The grand opening of the facility is set for Saturday and is open to the public.