GLYNN COUNTY, GA. — As Glynn County heads into 2025, both the Police and Fire Departments are grappling with significant staffing shortages, prompting urgent recruitment efforts aimed at filling critical positions. With both agencies facing challenges to meet public safety demands, they are introducing new strategies to attract and retain personnel.
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The Glynn County Fire Department is currently operating with 20 fewer firefighters than it is authorized, despite a sharp rise in emergency calls. In 2024, the Fire and Rescue team responded to nearly 19,000 incidents, with 75% of those related to rescue and medical services. Fire Chief Vinnie DiCristofalo said that this was the highest call volume in the department’s history, reflecting a 2% increase over 2023.
“That is our largest call volume in the history of the department—right about a 2% increase over 2023,” Fire Chief Vinnie DiCristofalo said.
Despite the increase in call volume, staffing shortages have placed a strain on the department. The Glynn County Fire Department is budgeted for 134 personnel, but currently, only 99 firefighters are on staff, leaving 21 vacancies. This shortage has resulted in a slower response time to emergencies, with 75% of calls taking an average of 7 minutes and 59 seconds to be answered.
“Glynn County Fire and Rescue is budgeted for 134 total personnel. 120 of those are budgeted for our operations. Currently, we’re at 99, so I have 21 vacancies,” DiCristofalo said.
The department’s target for 2025 is to reduce response times to 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
To combat these staffing challenges, DiCristofalo is introducing several measures, including a new pay structure that offers a 1.5% raise for each year worked at the department, and a lateral transfer program to help attract experienced firefighters from other areas.
The department is also moving forward with plans to build two new fire stations: one at the corner of Chapel Crossing Road and U.S. 17, and another at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport.
“What my vision has been is to make us a destination, employment agency,” DiCristofalo said.
Meanwhile, the Glynn County Police Department is also struggling with a staffing shortfall. The department has only 96 officers out of the 132 positions it is authorized to fill. In response, the department launched a targeted recruitment campaign in 2024, which generated 278 applications and resulted in 17 new hires. The department is also implementing a new pay scale and equipping officers with upgraded tools, such as Glock 9mm pistols with red-dot sights.
As part of the effort to boost officer training, the department plans to introduce advanced techniques like the precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver), designed to safely stop fleeing suspects.
Additionally, new technology in the form of license plate-reading cameras is being installed at major intersections and entry points into the county to aid in crime investigation.
Both the Police and Fire Departments are also focusing on increasing the appeal of law enforcement and firefighting careers in Glynn County by enhancing recruitment strategies and providing more opportunities for professional growth.
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