Harlem Fire Department

04/28/2026

Over the past week, HFD firefighters have worked hard adding the final details, training on, and placing in service both of the department’s newest apparatus.

Engine 1 is a 2025 E-One Typhoon custom cab engine, carrying 1000 gallons of water and being equipped with a 1500 GPM pump. Engine 1 will serve as the first due apparatus for all fire, medical and vehicle rescue incidents in the response district. This apparatus will take the place of the former Engine 1, now identified as Engine 3, which served as the primary response engine since 2003.

Squad 1 is a 2025 Ford F-550 equipped with a Knapheide utility body and a firefighting slip-in unit carrying 300 gallons of water and various tools and equipment for wildland fire response. This apparatus also carries structural firefighting support equipment as well as medical first response equipment. Squad 1 replaces the former Rescue 1 and Wildland 1, allowing the department to remove two older apparatus from service and combine their uses into one apparatus better suited for both roles.

Detailed posts covering each unit will follow, and you will see these apparatus responding to calls for service moving forward.

We would like to thank the elected and appointed officials of the City of Harlem for their continued support in ensuring HFD firefighters have the best equipment possible.

04/23/2026

-WILDLAND FIRE-

At approximately 3:57 PM on 04/23/26 HFD responded to a residence on Campbell’s Way for an outdoor burn complaint. While responding, additional callers and law enforcement reported an unattended fire that was uncontrolled and approaching the woods. The call was upgraded to a wildland fire response, and first arriving personnel found a working fire that had crossed the property line and extended into the woods from the back yard of the residence. Engine 1 provided initial structural protection, and upon arrival Squad 1 made access to the fire for extinguishment. Fire was contained to the back yard area in between homes and caused minor property damage.

Due to the fire being unattended and the current outdoor burn ban, Georgia Forestry Commission was requested and responded for citation and enforcement duties.

Columbia County remains under a state mandated burn ban due to increased fire weather conditions, and absolutely no outside burning is allowed.

04/23/2026

Latest update from Georgia Forestry Commission on the wildfire situation in South Georgia.

Columbia County remains under a state mandated burn ban for all outside fires.

04/22/2026

Message from Columbia County, GA Fire Rescue on the smoke in the area.

🚨 Public Notice 🚨
We want to make our community aware that the smoke some of you may be seeing and smelling in the area is not from a local fire.

The smoke is drifting into our area from ongoing wildfires in South Georgia, specifically Brantley County and Clinch County. Weather conditions and wind patterns are carrying the smoke north into our region.

At this time, there are no active fires within our immediate area causing concern. However, if you do see flames or notice a strong, localized smoke smell, please do not hesitate to call 911 so we can investigate.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated as needed. Stay safe and please keep the first repsonders and residents in the affected counties in your thoughts and prayers.

04/22/2026

Due to the ongoing drought and increased fire danger conditions, Columbia County has been placed under a state mandated outdoor burn ban. No outdoor burning is permitted during this time and property owners found in violation of the burn ban may be subject to citation from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

https://gatrees.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Administrative-Order_Burn-Ban.pdf?fbclid=IwRlRTSARVvKdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeN0yPawKB1Q47SuYwNzQ99jwIdMT_Zp6xX-pwYZgwMWo9fXC3xGfX55HORG4_aem_i58FL0uedeKylsy6bLJh3A

04/13/2026

04/13/2026

-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT-

At approximately 8:27 PM on 04/12/26 HFD was dispatched to a residence on Canterbury Ct. for a gas leak.

First arriving units met with the homeowner who reported smelling propane around the home’s outside propane tank. The tank was inspected and found to be leaking from multiple points around the gauges and valving. The propane vendor was contacted, and the decision was made for the tank to be flared to burn off the remaining propane in the tank. Columbia County Fire Rescue was requested for Hazardous Materials Response Team resources, and upon arrival of CCFR units from Engine 7 and HazMat 7 a flaring operation was conducted to remove all liquid propane from the tank, effectively stopping the leaks and rendering the tank safe.

The flaring operation lasted approximately 45 minutes, and no damage to property or injuries were reported.

03/28/2026

The National Weather Service in Columbia has issued a Red Flag warning for Columbia County today due to increased fire danger. Dry conditions combined with strong wind gusts and low relative humidity can contribute to the rapid spread of outside fires.

What this means for property owners:

- Georgia Forestry Commission is not issuing any burn permits for large area agricultural burns
- Outside burning that does not require a burn permit is STRONGLY discouraged
- If a fire becomes out of control and requires fire department response, the responsible party will subject to citation from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

HFD strongly discourages outdoor burning during this time!

03/22/2026

Today HFD firefighters participated in quarterly weekend training held at the Columbia County Fire Rescue Training Complex and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Driving Track in Appling.

This training provided valuable opportunity for our personnel to operate the department’s various apparatus in a controlled setting simulating normal on-road driving conditions. For many, this was their first time driving the new Engine 1, and time was spent learning the various features and functions of the new apparatus.

These quarterly weekend trainings are held to ensure our personnel receive required training at the CCFR Training Complex, which helps maintain skill proficiency and the department’s ISO insurance rating.

03/21/2026

-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT-

Just before 06:30AM this morning HFD units were dispatched to North Harlem Elementary School for a diesel fuel spill.

First arriving units found a delivery truck with a punctured fuel tank that had leaked a large amount of diesel fuel into the parking lot at the rear of the school. HFD units immediately secured the area and began spill containment and control measures, applying absorbent materials to the spill and using a catch basin below the actively leaking tank to catch the remaining fuel. Once immediate hazards were controlled, the Columbia County Fire Rescue Hazardous Materials Response Team was requested for assistance. CCFR HMRT on-duty personnel from Engine 7 and Truck 7 responded with HazMat 7, and working with HFD personnel, successfully performed a fuel pump off and transfer of the remaining fuel, further mitigating the leak. Personnel performed further containment measures on the spilled fuel to help minimize spread and prevent entry into storm drains.

Columbia County Environmental Compliance also responded, and working with the trucking company, coordinated the response of a private contractor for final clean up. Scene was deemed safe and turned back over to CCBOE personnel shortly before noon.

No injuries were reported and there was no immediate hazard to students, school personnel, or the general public.

03/17/2026

Our next post highlighting features of the new E-ONE Fire Trucks (Official Site) Engine 1 will cover the hose bed and rear body.

The rear of the apparatus was carefully designed, and specifications were written based off of needs of the response district and input from all members of the department.

The 1,030 gallon L- shaped water tank was paired with a 96” hose bed length to achieve a low overall height, and attack and supply hose loads that can all be accessed from the ground without climbing on the apparatus.

Three total 2-1/2” discharges are plumbed to the rear to allow for the following attack and supply hose setup:

- 300’ 2-1/2” Snap-Tite Conquest attack hose, pre-connected with a 1-3/16” Elkhart Brass XD smooth bore nozzle flowing 300 GPM
- 300’ 3” Snap-Tite Supreme 3” attack hose, pre-connected with a Elkhart Brass RAM XD portable monitor flowing 500 GPM
- 300’ 3” Snap-Tite Supreme 3” attack hose setup in a static bed for building fire department connection operations
- 1050’ of 5” Snap-Tite UTX 5” large diameter supply hose
- 300’ 1-3/4” Snap-Tite Conquest attack hose, pre-connected with a Elkhart Brass XD 15/16” smooth bore nozzle, flowing 185 GPM
- 300’ 1-3/4” Snap-TiteConquest attack hose, with an Elkhart Brass XD 15/16” smooth bore nozzle setup in a static bed for converting the 300’ line to 400’-600’ extended attack lines. This line can also be broken into three 100' hose packs.

Hydrant bag with all connection adapters, wrenches and fittings is mounted to the tailboard for quick deployment.

NFPA required hose retention netting is mounted with quick release buckles that drop free when activated.