Tybee Island Fire Department
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with our new Fire Chief,
Jason Patterson, as well as several of our volunteers and staff of the Tybee
Island Fire Department earlier this summer and am proud to be able to report
directly to Tybee that we are in the best of hands when it comes to any fire
or emergency that puts our lives or community in danger. These people are
here to serve and protect us and they work hard to make sure we stay safe
and with the best care possible.
Our new chief, Jason Patterson has been in the fire business forever!
Born and raised in Gainesville, Georgia, ever since he was knee high to a
Dalmatian, he wanted to be a fire fighter and he worked diligently to qualify
before he was even of age to do so. Jason was quick to jump on that truck
the moment he could legally sign up and has since been a part of a fire team
for the last 25 years and counting. Eventually he and his wife felt the burning
desire to move elsewhere, found Tybee and we are lucky to have them be a
part of the community.
36 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | SEPT 2019
By Alaina Loughridge - Top photos by Wen McNally
Tybee is a busy city despite her modest size and with the continued growth
and popularity of our little piece of paradise, it is important that city services
keep up with the rising demand. Initially starting out as a volunteer only
department, the last several years have seen a huge improvement in our Fire
Department and, more specifically, the last two years stand out. Handling
approximately 1,000 calls a year is tough and although most of those calls
consist of medical emergencies, Tybee still has its fair share of house fires,
structural fires, car accidents, and beach incidents, and it’s imperative we
have the most highly trained professionals available to assist promptly in any
emergency situation.
Currently operating with five fire trucks, along with other emergency
response vehicles, Tybee boasts six full time fire fighters, and has been
granted approval to hire ten more. The Department also has 10 volunteers
on-call at all times. Every single one of these people is committed to
extensive training so that they are 100% prepared for any emergency or