Frequently Asked Questions.

Call 911 for fires, medical emergencies, serious injuries, vehicle crashes, hazardous conditions, rescues, or any situation where someone may be in immediate danger.

If you are unsure whether a situation is an emergency, it is better to call 911 and let the communications officer determine the appropriate response.

Call 911 for any fire, medical emergency, or situation involving immediate danger to life or property. Use our main line, (706) 635-1333, for questions, non-urgent requests, or to reach a specific division directly.

Start with your location. Then explain what happened and answer the dispatcher's questions as clearly as possible.

The dispatcher may ask about the patient's condition, hazards, access to the property, or other information responding crews need. Stay on the line until you are told it is okay to disconnect.

All Gilmer County Fire Rescue personnel are trained as EMTs, Advanced EMTs, or paramedics.

A fire apparatus may be dispatched because its crew can begin medical care, provide additional personnel, assist in moving a patient, or support the ambulance crew during a serious medical emergency.

The number and type of units dispatched depends on the emergency.

A serious medical call, vehicle crash, structure fire, rescue, or other complex incident may require additional personnel, specialized equipment, command support, or multiple operational functions.

Not every unit performs the same role. Sending the appropriate resources early enables crews to manage the incident safely and efficiently.

Emergency units move throughout the county as calls occur.

The closest appropriate available unit is generally dispatched, which means the ambulance responding to your emergency may not always come from the station closest to your home.

This system helps maintain coverage while other units are committed to calls.

Call 911 as early as possible.

Provide the person's last known location, trail or landmark information, phone number, vehicle description, medical conditions if known, and GPS coordinates if available.

Do not delay calling while attempting a prolonged search on your own.

Patient preference is considered whenever it is medically appropriate.

However, destination decisions may also depend on the patient's condition, the type of specialty care needed, hospital capabilities, system conditions, medical direction, and applicable EMS protocols.

Certain conditions, such as major trauma, stroke, or other time-sensitive emergencies, may require transport to a hospital with specialized resources.

A patient who has the legal and decision-making capacity to make medical decisions may generally decline evaluation or transportation after being informed of the potential risks.

EMS personnel will ask the patient to sign documentation confirming that transportation was offered and declined.

Yes. If your condition changes, worsens, or you decide you want medical attention, call 911 again. A previous refusal does not prevent you from requesting assistance later.

Billing depends on the services provided and the department's current billing policies.

For questions regarding a specific incident or ambulance bill, contact the ambulance billing office using the information provided on your statement.

EMS billing is handled by a contracted third-party partner, not directly by the department. See the EMS Billing contact information on our Contact page, or visit our EMS Division page for more detail. It's helpful to have the patient's name, date of service, insurance information, and account or incident number available when calling.

Patient medical information is protected by privacy laws and regulations.

The department generally cannot release information regarding a patient's medical condition, treatment, or transport without appropriate authorization or another lawful basis.

If there's an actual fire or you're not sure why the alarm is sounding, get everyone out of the home immediately and call 911 from a safe location. If the alarm is chirping intermittently, it usually means the battery needs to be replaced. If it won't stop and there's no fire, check for smoke from cooking, steam, or dust near the sensor.

Smoke alarms should be installed:

• Inside each sleeping room
• Outside each sleeping area
• On every level of the home
• In locations recommended by the alarm manufacturer

Residents should test alarms regularly and replace batteries as recommended.

Most smoke alarms should be replaced approximately every 10 years, although residents should follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific alarm. If you are unsure how old an alarm is, check the manufacture date printed on the unit.

Carbon monoxide alarms are strongly recommended in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, generators, or attached garages. Install and maintain alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Move everyone to fresh air and call 911, especially if anyone is experiencing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, or difficulty breathing.

Do not ignore an activated carbon monoxide alarm simply because no one feels ill.

Leave the area immediately. Do not operate electrical switches, light flames, start vehicles, or use anything that could create a spark.

Once you are a safe distance away, call 911.

Gilmer County Fire Rescue does not use emergency apparatus or any equipment to fill private swimming pools. Keeping fire apparatus available for emergency response is our priority.

Fire departments generally do not refill privately owned fire extinguishers. Residents should contact a qualified fire-protection company for extinguisher inspection, maintenance, recharge, or replacement.

Check the extinguisher periodically for damage, corrosion, leakage, or loss of pressure. Follow the manufacturer's maintenance and replacement recommendations. Any extinguisher that has been discharged should be professionally serviced or replaced.

Burn permits are issued through our Fire Marshal's Office. Contact them for current requirements before conducting any outdoor burning.

State and local requirements regulate outdoor burning, and it may also be restricted because of weather, drought, fire danger, or seasonal regulations.

Before burning, confirm that the burn type is permitted and determine whether authorization is required.

Household garbage, plastics, tires, construction materials, and many other materials should not be burned. Residents should follow current Georgia environmental and fire regulations regarding outdoor burning and waste disposal.

Before burning:

• Verify that burning is permitted
• Check weather and fire-danger conditions
• Maintain adequate clearance around the fire
• Have a reliable water source or extinguishing equipment available
• Keep the fire under continuous supervision
• Fully extinguish the fire before leaving the area

Never burn during unsafe wind or drought conditions.

Requirements may vary depending on the type, size, location, and purpose of the burn. Contact the appropriate county or state agency before conducting a large or unusual burn.

Direct questions about commercial fire inspections, plans, permits, occupancy requirements, or fire-code compliance to the Fire Marshal's Office. Do not call 911 for routine inspection or permitting questions.

The Fire Marshal's office conducts required fire and life-safety inspections and works with businesses on fire-code compliance, occupancy, permits, and related safety concerns.

Residential inspection services may depend on the reason for the request. Contact the department for questions regarding home fire-safety visits, smoke-alarm concerns, foster or adoption inspections, daycare requirements, or other residential inspection needs.

For anything non-urgent, contact us through the form on our Contact page or call our non-emergency line. If there's an immediate danger, call 911.

Contact Gilmer County Fire Rescue for information regarding the department's records-request process. Be prepared to provide the date of the incident, incident address, type of call, and any other identifying information available.

EMS records contain protected medical information and are released only in accordance with applicable privacy requirements. The patient or an authorized representative may contact the department for instructions on releasing medical records.

Contact the department's administrative office and request the appropriate incident report. Providing the date, location, type of incident, and property owner's information can help staff locate the report.

Visit our Resources page for links to the National Weather Service forecast, Gilmer County's emergency alert sign-up, and disaster preparedness guidance. Our printable Emergency Quick Reference also covers evacuation prep basics.

Stay well away from the lines and anything they are touching. Always assume a downed power line is energized. Do not attempt to move it or drive over it.

Call 911 for an immediate public-safety hazard and notify the appropriate utility provider.

Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Water depth, road damage, and current strength can be difficult to judge, especially at night. Turn around and find another route.

Yes. Gilmer County's terrain creates situations where traditional fire engines and ambulances may not be able to reach a patient directly.

Our personnel train and operate in areas including remote access, technical rescue, water rescue, vehicle extrication, and other difficult environments.

Call 911 and provide as much location information as possible.

If available, provide GPS coordinates, trail names, nearby landmarks, the patient's condition, and a phone number for someone at the scene.

Unless there is an immediate danger, avoid moving a seriously injured person unnecessarily.

Yes — home safety checks, school visits, and CPR classes are part of our community outreach. Reach out through the contact form on our homepage to request one.

Station tours may be available for schools, civic groups, youth organizations, families, and community organizations. Contact Gilmer County Fire Rescue in advance so we can make arrangements around staffing, training, and emergency-response requirements.

Yes, based on personnel and apparatus availability. Public education, fire-prevention activities, demonstrations, and community events are an important part of our mission.

Emergency calls always take priority, so participating units may need to leave an event without notice.

You may submit requests to the department in advance. Participation depends on staffing levels, operational requirements, event location, and emergency-call volume.

The department may offer training opportunities throughout the year. Contact the department or check the training and community education section of our website for current classes and registration information.

Visit our Careers page to see what we offer and what it takes, then apply directly through our online application portal. We post employment opportunities when positions become available — review the current job announcement for minimum qualifications, certifications, testing requirements, and application instructions.

Requirements depend on the position. Firefighter, EMT, Advanced EMT, paramedic, communications, administrative, and specialized positions may have different certification, licensing, education, and physical requirements. Always refer to the current job posting for the official requirements.