[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6502678,"mediaKeyId","5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569","parentId",5796869,"title","Chatham County Fire Department reports lower fire calls, expanding community paramedic responses","audioSeconds",747,"startMs",6811000,"endMs",7558000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569&start=6811&end=7558","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569/thumbnail_6811000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502678/Chatham-County/Georgia/Chatham-County-Fire-Department-reports-lower-fire-calls-expanding-community-paramedic-responses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502678-25058c4c095bc47bf073f167198ae886/orig.mp4?Expires=1770877503&Signature=SIKPIN4a9SMGotSyp~1nYM-ayBaDM046vCJ0eSNH0gA8dThosfzl-vxqiO~DU7u140DZcEVYErvqZMcHBSFiczu~YKY1RfrZutU9lKi~fmn-JpYGpa7c41TCYDRNaZnH3l0BWcHMxa6uzhcVoGVa9NTDqLP4ys5jtUe5oX6f1HiC0o7NA5L0dityB4OShd2-HtsgWX-ROWmeNOTfMlA5J~x7IaILiEM18yC8FAjMYYmDu0vYahXsxlyYge~ftX70JlOBAICwQCvmTdsGC18hie5Am2410oByVZwFhrzISSNP1HoSLtEG3S2uLr5Kh0dSmvS9wmqXAgqLNlKeT7X~3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chatham County ","date","2025-09-20T03:24:02Z","article","At Thursday's Chatham County Commission meeting, the Fire Chief (name not specified in the public record excerpt) presented the department's quarterly operational report, citing a decline in fire responses and expanded community paramedic activity.

Key figures from the presentation: fire responses are down about 8% compared with the same point last year; the Community Paramedic/Behavioral Health Unit program has logged 903 calls since Jan. 1, with about 725 patient contacts and the remainder canceled or otherwise not resulting in patient contact. The department told commissioners the clinician-verified biospatial dataset shows 6,802 countywide incidents coded for mental-health, overdose or related behavioral-health issues.

The chief said the current recruit firefighter class is entering week 19 next week, with 14 candidates remaining in the cohort and a planned graduation on Oct. 23. The department reported about 30 vacant firefighter positions; recent hiring brought four new staff on board and additional candidates are in the pipeline. The chief said the department would likely schedule another recruit academy.

Other highlights: the department ran a girls' fire camp in July, plans to offer a boys' camp next year, participated in conference presentations and community resource fairs, and sent BHU staff to study best practices in San Antonio. The chief said the department is stepping up outreach and anticipates a request to increase staffing in Building Safety and Regulatory Services to strengthen enforcement of short-term rental and code compliance complaints.

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 5-11; the department said the theme will emphasize lithium-ion battery safety in household devices. The chief invited commissioners to the recruit graduation and reminded them that the department provides smoke-alarm installations and home-safety checks via an online request or by calling headquarters.

Ending: Commissioners asked follow-up questions about staff levels and burnout risk; the chief said two additional BHU/community-paramedic positions were hired recently, a clinician will start in October, and staff are monitoring workload to avoid attrition.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chatham County Commission Meeting: September 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The county's fire chief reported an 8% drop in fire responses compared with last year and outlined community paramedic activity (903 calls since Jan. 1), recruit training, vacancy counts and upcoming Fire Prevention Week messaging targeted at lithium-ion battery safety.","taxTitle","Chatham County, Georgia","taxId",2956,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502684,"Chatham County swears in 28-member Youth Commission; mayor praises long-running program",573,4477000,5050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569&start=4477&end=5050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569/thumbnail_4477000.jpg","/articles/6502684/Chatham-County/Georgia/Chatham-County-swears-in-28-member-Youth-Commission-mayor-praises-long-running-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502684-1fe054909ee08690409868e05f5c8bb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770877503&Signature=fk53sQcEKDW85tMka1qXvAHA8AawASQaEJhO6HVIOFakr7EUqTaZOtefsOFA~P8MywKRHEcDp7pvT16pqso1aPWrU6gzrtKnrOSHicROtFVTYxRgn8xyYWze7jL8wKopc96S1TddrR6WKCZAF0P3bmZwIl1bVIVW~GjEtNfU5lg~IIcat64kmbtPCiDgIL03hLkgG20ZPbqnycIwz-oTQt0Zl2BtaeQpL9ybkTfrGE6cto1wOcuhtBtO4dFySCYXKfNeGpq0Kskr~FsYrVtDI2oxtkB9S4VjB7S-qjZ0ztSqX4uHZeVwQluS6se0LInfhgUlSTTY9IcAejQNWTDffA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chatham County on Thursday swore in a 28-member Youth Commission for 2025, and Mayor Van Johnson and county leaders used the ceremony to praise the program as a long-running model of youth engagement.

Mayor Van Johnson told the commission the county's youth commission program has operated for 34 years and described it as \"a best practice\" for preparing young people for public service. County staff and volunteers said the program is entirely volunteer-driven; the mayor and advisers said 100% of donated funds go directly to program activities.

The board administered oaths and named the incoming officers. Mariah Cade, a senior at Savannah Arts Academy, was sworn in as chair and introduced herself to the commission, saying she looked forward to building on previous years and supporting the commission's work.

Officials noted the composition of the group this year: 28 members with 10 returning commissioners and 18 new members. Several area high schools were represented, and county leaders thanked advisers, school administrators and parents for their support.

Why it matters: County leaders said the youth commission feeds civic engagement and career pathways; organizers pointed to alumni who have returned to local government or public service, including a former youth commissioner who is now a juvenile court judge.

The ceremony concluded with a group photograph and an invitation for commissioners to attend Youth Commission events this year.

","Chatham County and Savannah officials swore in 28 youth commissioners for 2025, highlighting the county's 34-year youth engagement program and volunteer-run model that organizers said focuses donations entirely on programming.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502689,"Commission approves $12.5 million transfer to CIP, funds gym and Highway 17 safety projects",1826,5334000,7160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569&start=5334&end=7160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569/thumbnail_5334000.jpg","/articles/6502689/Chatham-County/Georgia/Commission-approves-125-million-transfer-to-CIP-funds-gym-and-Highway-17-safety-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502689-c91a07ddfcad56499290404b62c3ca5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770877503&Signature=Gjixp7qPvCIj~VOPa9CjkGxwPolp8rxHX8VG-Bhovv5anIZm8vBidYD9cAt~p0xnAQa2BESoXWSNQoWA7McV~qdkHl9H7mgTrSp~CXVBchMrygiDPlgYeKvf1i6Y-1whcqozY2ur9KS0WnlSIpghnYWeJYizaw9Vu5x2ekb3MSJ~7hzzipTRTFPP7MVOTAUkGvedKbgAmFWlhYCDm50ebG0~nqu~RHzADU59Pg7RG6dDWWCusJqv0N1GUyk~de7Jp7-BFAbTyoY3kGqsEnmqEvILnc~cfOsLZkx8hlZXryba89DO8~DiXAPgNFaGDH1~ej0D~6a1XabN6Qmjg6hdiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved fiscal-year 2025 budget amendments and transfers that shift $12.5 million from the general fund into the county's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) fund and allocate funds to multiple capital projects and grants.

Under the approved amendments, the general fund will appropriate $12.5 million and the CIP fund will record an increased transfer in from the general fund of the same amount. The board also established or increased CIP project budgets, including: $4 million for the Highway 17 safety/community center facilities project, $5 million to establish a gymnasium project, and $3.5 million to increase CIP contingency for fiscal year 2026.

The board also approved smaller grant revenue and expenditure increases: $5,000 for the Rodney Roderick Fund; $5,000 for an Annie E. Casey Foundation grant; and $88,211 for a Georgia Department of Family and Children Services Family Resource Center grant. A $235,000 transfer from the CIP fund to the Special Service District Fund was approved to increase public-works operating budget support there.

County staff presented the items together as part of the action calendar; a commissioner moved, a second was recorded, and the board voted to approve the package.

Why it matters: The transfer and project allocations fund a mix of facility improvements and contingency reserves intended to advance capital priorities for the county and allow continuation of planned projects in the CIP. Staff said the actions reflect routine reallocation and project establishment within the county's capital planning process.

Ending: Commissioners asked for briefings on select CIP uses and were told additional information on the funded projects will be available through staff reports and future agenda items.

","Chatham County commissioners approved a set of budget amendments and transfers including a $12.5 million transfer from the general fund to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) fund and project allocations for a Highway 17 safety/community center, a new gymnasium project and CIP contingency increases.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502693,"Chatham County commissioners deny variance for unpermitted work at 22 Lake Drive",1020,5460000,6480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569&start=5460&end=6480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5796869-9593c17889fb38af14659662a2131569/thumbnail_5460000.jpg","/articles/6502693/Chatham-County/Georgia/Chatham-County-commissioners-deny-variance-for-unpermitted-work-at-22-Lake-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502693-68d26406dfd3f02313e90f86a8b0675b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770877503&Signature=SrA~pzoI0kcg47KRO3HSpJNEwZeOzJZp31nvCB-4XG~l95IyVolPkrRBFZMZ7fBieLmWWQETK2XSYRnGuK9MHpVCGvDpn92uiIHX2HNXFjeMFmjD5KNWA0dT0cwX1bqZQ8NLqqxJWhvWKkL3RPckwWG6JWUNOl~ZEBFyWa1GYwKdbMSIry~dOYcoaSRvVlwM~c0hriZeFX7MABgwb2E0s1tpDKxtjJ~ycLCJ~Xuik16z~i4TDT4vjMuP-RnjeVuf22w2yKJcMrIcJtIHYZ-Semm9asJGFKF5JcfeJ5orsLbPnJ0L3eOKMWzmFR9ac5yJjvHM0~0bhCHdLCcy3c-nYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Thursday denied a variance request to allow finished rooms and other unpermitted work at a short-term rental property at 22 Lake Drive.

The homeowners' representative, attorney Mike Vakwer, told the board the current owners purchased the property in July 2022 and were unaware a nonconversion agreement tied to the lot predated that sale. Vakwer said a notice of violation was issued Nov. 4, 2024, and the owners now propose a mitigation plan and limited dry-floodproofing to keep some of the existing downstairs improvements while working with county engineering.

County Engineer Suzanne Cooler told commissioners the property originally complied when built but that a nonconversion agreement was filed in 2019 and subsequent unpermitted work left the downstairs finished and air-conditioned, which the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance does not allow. Cooler said federal guidance and the county ordinance prohibit finished rooms on the bottom floor of residential structures in the floodplain and that allowing the request would risk the county's flood program certification and the collective insurance savings of policyholders.

Commissioners discussed neighbor complaints, septic-system strain tied to increased bedroom counts, and the general increase in short-term rental conversions in residential neighborhoods. Several commissioners invoked a \"buyer-beware\" rationale and emphasized that permitting, title searches and disclosures should have identified the nonconversion restriction.

The motion on the floor, to deny the variance request and follow staff recommendation, was approved by the board. County staff said the property has been removed from short-term rental listings pending resolution.

What the vote means: The denial requires the owners to work through county processes to return the property to compliance, pursue any required removals, or pursue other remedies outside the commission if they choose. County staff said the property owner can return later with a plan to bring the structure into compliance, but the existing request was denied.

Remarks at the meeting stressed enforcement consistency: Cooler said the county previously required removal of noncompliant finished spaces in other cases and asked the board to apply the same standard here to avoid jeopardizing the county's NFIP standing.

The board formally recorded the action and then moved on with the agenda.

Ending note: County staff told commissioners they are preparing stronger regulatory and enforcement efforts on short-term rentals, including potential staffing increases in Building Safety and Regulatory Services to handle complaints and inspections.

","The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted to deny a variance request related to unpermitted finished rooms at a short-term rental at 22 Lake Drive, citing the county's floodplain ordinance and risk to the county's National Flood Insurance Program rating.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chatham County Fire Department reports lower fire calls, expanding community paramedic responses

Chatham County swears in 28-member Youth Commission; mayor praises long-running program

Commission approves $12.5 million transfer to CIP, funds gym and Highway 17 safety projects

Chatham County commissioners deny variance for unpermitted work at 22 Lake Drive