The
Georgia Department of Corrections operates eighteen
fire stations in State facilities while four
county prisons operate fire stations within their
facilities. Seven boot camps and probation detention
centers have trained wildfire teams who assist
the Georgia Forestry Commission on wildfires
in the North Georgia Mountains. At full staffing
over 220 offenders are assigned to the offender firefighter
program.
The Georgia legislature amended Title 25 OCGA
in order to permit former offenders to be hired
and certified as career firefighters. Offenders
in the program receive training in hazardous
materials, vehicle extrication, and structural
fire control. GDC fire stations service portable
fire extinguishers for all facilities.
GDC fire stations respond to over 3000 calls
annually in communities across the state.
They also assist other State Agencies in
natural disasters and declared emergencies.