#EmergencyServices | AM 1180 Radio

September 16, 2026

Greg “Hawk” Hawkins Appointed Deputy Coroner In Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyChamberOfCommerce, #ChattoogaCountyCoroner, #chattoogacountynews, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityService, #DeputyCoroner, #EarleRainwater, #EmergencyMedicalServices, #EmergencyServices, #EMS, #EMSPioneerOfTheYear, #firstresponders, #GaryWoods, #georgianews, #GregHawkins, #HawkHawkins, #JeremyMcElhaney, #LeadershipChattooga, #LocalNews, #lyerlyga, #MenloGA, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #NorthwestGeorgiaEMS, #northwestgeorgianews, #Paramedic, #PublicService, #RedmondEMS, #summervillega, #trionga, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, menlo 0

Greg “Hawk” Hawkins has been appointed Deputy Coroner of Chattooga County, continuing a long career of service in local emergency services.

Hawkins was sworn in Monday by Judge Gary Woods, with Chattooga County Coroner Jeremy McElhaney and Senior Deputy Coroner Earle Rainwater in attendance.

A longtime resident of Menlo, Hawkins has served Chattooga County for many years in emergency medical services. He worked as a paramedic and supervisor with Redmond EMS, building decades of experience responding to emergencies throughout the county.

Hawkins is also a 2018 graduate of the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Chattooga class.

Earlier this year, Hawkins received regional recognition for his service in emergency medicine. In March, he was honored as the EMS Pioneer of the Year by the Northwest Georgia Regional Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.

His appointment as Deputy Coroner adds another chapter to a career centered on public service and emergency response in Chattooga County.

September 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Trion Council Approves $5-Per-Hour Pay Increase For Firefighters

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #ChattoogaInfo, #CommunityNews, #EmergencyServices, #FirefighterPay, #Firefighters, #firstresponders, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #MountVernonMills, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicSafety, #townoftrion, #TrionFireDepartment, #TrionFirefighters, #trionga, #TrionNews, #TrionTownCouncil, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Trion Town Council has approved a significant pay increase for firefighters, a move aimed at improving compensation and helping retain fire personnel.

During the council’s August 27 meeting, Mayor Mickey McGraw made a motion to increase firefighter pay by $5 per hour. The motion was seconded and received unanimous approval from the council.

Under an ongoing cost-sharing arrangement between the town and Mount Vernon Mills, the company will pay half of the increase, or $2.50 per hour.

The increase represents an effort by town officials to improve compensation for the firefighters who provide emergency response and fire protection services to the Trion community.

The unanimous vote puts the higher hourly pay in place with the cost of the increase shared equally between the Town of Trion and Mount Vernon Mills.

August 21, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Summerville City Offices And Summerville Gas Office In Armuchee To Close Friday For Staff Training

Local News, Local News Items #ArmucheeGA, #August2026, #August21, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #CityOffices, #CityOfSummerville, #CityServices, #CommunityNotice, #EmergencyServices, #FloydCountyGas, #FridayAugust21, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #northwestgeorgia, #OfficeClosure, #PublicNotice, #PublicSafety, #StaffTraining, #summervillega, #TemporaryClosure, #UtilityPayments, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The City of Summerville has announced that its front offices and the City of Summerville Floyd County Gas Office in Armuchee will be closed today, Friday, August 21, 2026, while employees participate in mandatory staff training.

Both locations are scheduled to resume regular business hours on Monday, August 24, at 8 a.m.

The temporary closure will not affect emergency services. Police, fire and other emergency response services will remain fully operational throughout the day.

Residents who need to make utility payments during the closure can continue to use the city’s online payment portals. Physical payment drop boxes located outside city offices will also remain available.

City officials thanked residents for their understanding while employees complete the training.

August 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Public Safety Training Center Opens Registration For Fire Inspector Course

Local News, Local News Items #ChattoogaInfo, #ContinuingEducation, #EmergencyServices, #FireCertification, #Firefighters, #FireInspector, #FireService, #FireTraining, #firstresponders, #GeorgiaFireService, #GeorgiaPublicSafetyTrainingCenter, #GPSTC, #HazMatAwareness, #LifeSafetyCode, #NFPA1030, #NFPA1031, #northwestgeorgia, #NPQ, #PublicSafety, #TrainingOpportunity, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, georgia 0

The Georgia Public Safety Training Center is now accepting registrations for a two-week Fire Inspector course scheduled for September 14 through September 25, 2026.

The course is being offered through the Fire and Emergency Services Section, and successful completion will result in NPQ Fire Inspector certification.

GPSTC says prerequisite courses are being waived for this offering because the National Fire Academy’s online platform is not currently operational.

Students are encouraged to have completed a Life Safety Code class, although it is not required to attend the course.

For those seeking state certification as a Fire Inspector, Hazardous Materials Awareness is required under the applicable NFPA standard. However, GPSTC says that certification is not required simply to attend this class.

The September course will also mark the final offering of the curriculum developed under NFPA 1031. GPSTC says it is awaiting finalization of a new curriculum based on the revised NFPA 1030 standard.

Registration is now open through the Georgia Public Safety Training Center’s student access portal.

June 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

City of Summerville Hiring Full-Time Firefighter

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CityOfSummerville, #CommunityService, #EmergencyServices, #firedepartment, #FirefighterJobs, #firstresponders, #LocalJobs, #northwestgeorgia, #NowHiring, #PublicSafety, #SummervilleFireDepartment, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville is accepting applications for the position of full-time firefighter with the Summerville Fire Department.

The department is an ISO Class 3 rated combination fire department that provides fire prevention, emergency medical response, and public education services to the community.

City officials say they are looking for applicants who are ready to serve the public and help protect the Summerville community.

Applications may be completed online through the City of Summerville’s official job opportunities page. Paper applications are also available at Summerville City Hall, located at 120 Georgia Avenue.

For more information, contact Human Resources Director Kim Tucker at 706-859-0900 or visit City Hall Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

April 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County EMA/E-911 Hiring Full-Time Communications Officers

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #communicationsofficer, #CommunityCareers, #e911, #EmergencyServices, #firstresponders, #HiringNow, #JobOpportunity, #NowHiring, #NWGAJobs, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

Sample Image

Chattooga County EMA/E-911 is now accepting applications for full-time Communications Officers, offering an opportunity to serve on the front lines of public safety.

The position features a split shift schedule, typically from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., with a rotating schedule of two days on and two days off, along with every other weekend consisting of three days on and three days off. Officials note that flexibility is required, as employees may be asked to cover additional shifts.

Starting pay is $16 per hour, with scheduled raises, including increases after the first six weeks, again after another six weeks, and an additional raise around the one-year mark.

Applicants must obtain state certification to maintain employment. Initial training is provided in-house, followed by a required one-week POST Communications Officer course at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, which includes an on-campus stay.

Those interested can apply by calling 706-857-3400, selecting option 1 or 2.

Officials say the role is critical in helping guide emergency response efforts, serving as a calm and steady voice for those in need.

April 16, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Ends Fiscal Year 2025 with $18 Million in Available Funds

Local News, Local News Items #BudgetReport, #CountyAudit, #EmergencyServices, #FinancialReport, #FiscalYear2025, #georgianews, #GovernmentSpending, #InfrastructureInvestment, #LawEnforcement, #LocalGovernment, #LocalNews, #NoDebt, #northwestgeorgia, #PensionPlan, #PropertyTaxes, #PublicFunds, #PublicSafety, #PublicWorks, #RoadProjects, #SalesTaxRevenue, #TaxRevenue, #WalkerCounty, #WalkerCountyGA, #WaterProjects, #wzqznews 0

Walker County closed out fiscal year 2025 with more than $18 million in available funds, according to its latest annual audit, reflecting a significant increase in financial reserves.

April 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

VoIP Phone Service Disruptions Reported Across Chattooga County

Local News, Local News Items #911Services, #ATT, #BreakingNews, #chattoogacounty, #EmergencyServices, #northwestgeorgia, #PhoneOutage, #PublicSafety, #summervillega, #trionga, #VoIPOutage, #wzqznews 0

Sample Image

Chattooga County EMA/E-911 reported Tuesday that multiple Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, phone service disruptions have been affecting residents and businesses across Chattooga County and surrounding areas.

Officials say they have received numerous reports of customers being unable to place outbound phone calls. The issue is not limited to E-911 services and appears to be impacting a wide range of users who rely on internet-based phone systems.

At this time, no official outage notification has been issued by service providers. However, officials say the disruption may be connected to a larger network issue involving AT&T infrastructure.

The exact cause of the outage remains under investigation, and there is currently no estimated timeframe for when service will be fully restored.

Chattooga County EMA/E-911 says they are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

April 8, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County EMA/E-911 Hiring Full-Time Communications Officers

Local News, Local News Items #CareerOpportunity, #chattoogacounty, #communicationsofficer, #DispatcherJobs, #e911, #EmergencyServices, #firstresponders, #GeorgiaJobs, #HiringNow, #JobOpportunity, #LocalJobs, #northwestgeorgia, #NowHiring, #PublicSafety, #ServeYourCommunity, #wzqznews 0

Sample Image

Chattooga County EMA and E-911 is now hiring full-time Communications Officers, offering an opportunity to serve on the front lines of public safety.

April 2, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

City Of Summerville To Close For Good Friday Holiday

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CityHallClosed, #CityOfSummerville, #CommunityUpdate, #EmergencyServices, #GoodFriday, #HolidayClosure, #HolidayWeekend, #LocalGovernment, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicNotice, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

The City of Summerville has announced that City Hall and all administrative offices will be closed on Friday, April 3, 2026, in observance of Good Friday.

Officials say emergency services, including police and fire departments, will remain fully operational. Residents are reminded to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

Public Works and Summerville Utilities will be on call for emergency situations, with assistance also coordinated through 911 if needed.

Utility payments can still be made during the closure through the city’s online payment portal or by using the secure drop box located at City Hall.

Regular business hours will resume on Monday, April 6, at 8:00 a.m.

City leaders wish residents a safe and pleasant holiday weekend.