GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
FIRE SERVICES & LIFE SAFETY UNIT
In times of crisis, help can arrive from unexpected places.
The Georgia Department of Corrections’ Fire Services and Life Safety Unit plays a vital role in protecting communities across the state— many of which lack fully staffed, paid fire departments. Through the inmate firefighter program, fully trained individuals respond to fires, vehicle accidents, rescues and wildfires. The teams may work alongside local emergency services, and many times may be the sole responders in an emergency. These dedicated firefighters not only bring skill and compassion to critical moments but also help lower property insurance rates in the areas they serve. The program began in 1963 at what is now Lee Arrendale State Prison, home to Georgia’ s pioneering all-female fire team.
To learn more about our Fire Services and Life Safety Unit, visit our website.
Summer 2025 | GDC Journal 11