Glynn County Fire Rescue reports rising call volume, new equipment and plans for station openings and marine firefighting capability

Glynn County Fire Rescue presented a multi‑division quarterly execution report that combined operational data, equipment and training updates, and multi‑year plans for stations and specialized response.

Chief Vinny Di Cristoforo opened the presentation by describing the department as a "professional fire rescue department" with 135 personnel serving roughly 89,000 residents across more than 585 square miles. Assistant Chief Morrison reported roughly 19,000 calls for service in 2025—about a 2% increase over 2024—and said EMS calls made up about 75 percent of that workload. Morrison noted localized call growth in Zone 6 and Zone 8 (about a 12% increase) without degradation of response capability.

Operations leaders reviewed capital investments and maintenance improvements: placement of a new Spartan and a Pierce pumper into service, replacement of thermal imaging cameras, procurement of two special‑operations trailers, and third‑party hose testing that identified approximately 20 failed hose sections. A new rescue boat and updated turnout gear were also placed in service. Staff said upgrading the station alerting system and occupying two new stations are expected to reduce travel time and improve coverage once completed.

Fire Rescue described efforts to bolster port and marine response. The department convened a salvage/marine firefighting committee with regional partners, plans quarterly ship tours for personnel, and will seek state and federal grant support for training and equipment to create a regional team capable of supplementing shipboard crews during major incidents.

On emerging threats, the department described procurement and training for an additive product intended to extinguish electric‑vehicle battery fires and reduce harmful byproducts, with vendor training and controlled burn exercises planned.

Inspector Nate Thigpen (prevention) reported increased inspection and investigation activity—2,619 business inspections in 2025—and outlined outreach including smoke‑detector blitzes and school safety education. EMS Division Chief Travis Johnson highlighted clinical advances: a revised medication list developed with the hospital pharmacy, expanded ALS engine deployments for high‑acuity coverage, new cardiac monitors, and a planned field whole‑blood infusion program for paramedics with training scheduled in March.

Training leadership reported roughly 21,000 training hours in 2025, multiple professional certifications earned by staff, and new monthly training cadences for specialized teams, while strategic projects staff described accreditation work, policy modernization with Lexipol, leadership development and retention programs.

Performance measures showed mixed results: a 12‑lead EKG rate for chest‑pain patients at 89.8% (short of a 100% goal), ROSC pre‑hospital around 25%, containment of flame spread to room of origin at ~63%, daytime turnout at 84% (target met) and nighttime turnout at 70.9% (below a 75% target). Fire Rescue leaders said opening a new station (Station 9) and ongoing investments should improve travel‑time metrics in coming years.