SSFD/EMS/SEC was founded in 1961 with a hand full of volunteers and one fire station. Since then Southside has grown to provide all of Chatham County with 24/7 EMS response, unincorporated Chatham with Fire Protection, and Security Services to local businesses. With 28 Fire/EMS stations, over 360 Volunteer & Career personnel, and its own emergency dispatch center, Southside is the largest combination department in the Southeast U.S. and the only Fire and 911 EMS provider in Chatham. All Volunteers are trained to State levels in Firefighting or EMS First Response, as a minimum, and all Career personnel are required to be State certified Firefighters, EMT’s, and Security Officers. Southside is honored to have served the citizens of Chatham County, citizens across the State of Georgia during various disasters, and even throughout the U.S. (Katrina, NYC 9-11, & Sandy) for over 50 years.
