Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Long County adopts local temporary burn-ban ordinance and secures $41,539 FEMA mitigation grant for EMA
Summary
The board adopted Ordinance 2026-04 granting local authority to impose and lift burn bans during emergency fire conditions and accepted an EMA FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for $41,539. Fire/EMA officials reported high call volumes and discussed potential equipment purchases to address flooding and severe weather response.
Long County commissioners on May 5 adopted Ordinance 2026-04, giving the county local authority to implement or lift temporary outdoor burn bans during emergency fire conditions without re-adopting an ordinance each time. Chairman Jeremy Hall moved to approve the ordinance and to lift the burn ban the following Tuesday if weather conditions improved; Commissioner John Reddish seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Fire Department and EMA leaders Chris Moss and Alissa Moss reported monthly operations that included 60 fire alarms, 311 medical calls, 13 structure fires, 68 brush fires, 38 vehicle accidents and 17 illegal burns. Officials reminded residents that a statewide burn ban remained in effect because of drought conditions.
EMA was awarded a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant for $41,539 to support hazard mitigation planning and improve emergency preparedness; the grant will also help preserve eligibility for future FEMA funding opportunities. Commissioners discussed potential equipment purchases — including generators, a rescue boat and utility vehicles — to strengthen response capabilities after flooding during Hurricane Debby.
The ordinance allows local lifting of a burn ban based on changed conditions; the board recorded its intent to revisit the ban if rainfall makes it safe to do so. There was no recorded dissent to adopting the ordinance in the meeting minutes.
The board recognized county personnel and mutual-aid partners who assisted Brantley County during recent emergencies.
