Dodge County approves mutual-aid pact for fire and emergency services, gives manager authority for extended aid

The Dodge County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 4 to authorize the county Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency to join a Georgia Mutual Aid Group and to let the county manager approve mutual-aid deployments that extend beyond 48 hours.

County Manager Conner Bearden presented the resolution in Fire Chief Malcolm Tyson’s absence, saying the pact would allow Dodge County to both render and receive assistance during “disastrous incidents and immediate response emergencies.” The resolution cites state mutual-aid law and specifies that liabilities, privileges and immunities would be governed under state code.

Commissioner Brian Watkins moved to approve the resolution with the removal of the section that had required full board approval for aid extending past 48 hours; Commissioner Leigh Ann Greene seconded. Commissioners Jeffrey Jones and Sharon Cobb Flanagan also voiced support; the motion carried on a unanimous vote by the five commissioners present.

The adopted language authorizes the county fire chief and the county emergency management director (or their designees) to act on behalf of the county in matters related to the mutual-aid pact and notes that the county may withdraw from the pact by resolution and vote. The resolution as presented and approved cites O.C.G.A. 25-6-1 et seq. and O.C.G.A. 36-69-1 et seq. as the governing statutory authority.

Board members discussed and removed the prior requirement that the full commission approve aid that would continue beyond a 48-hour period, leaving that approval authority with the county manager. No public opposition or additional conditions were recorded during the meeting.

The resolution clarifies that firefighters and others acting under the mutual-aid agreement would have liabilities and immunities governed by state law. The board passed the measure and recorded no opposition.