BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. () — Bryan County has informed News 3 that Matt Burns, the Bryan County Fire & Recuse (BCFR) chief who held that position for less than a year, has been separated from BCFR. Anthony Van Es is the acting interim fire chief.

The county released this statement: “Bryan County is committed to providing the best services to its citizens above all else and that Bryan County Fire and Rescue meets its full potential. That potential is only reached with cooperation and collaboration with the Bryan County Emergency Management Agency and other county departments and the efficient management of resources. Bryan County is proud of the hard work and dedication of every member of Fire and Rescue and believes that this department has more potential than ever in achieving that goal.”

According to a story in the Savannah Morning News published Aug. 15, Burns’ personnel file, which the paper obtained through an open records request, states his last day was Aug. 6 and that he was separated during a probationary period. Burns’ personnel file did not state a reason for his separation.