STATESBORO, Ga. () — The Bulloch County Board of Commissioners announced that the county fire department will be responsible for all fire services in unincorporated Bulloch County, including the “Five Mile Fire District.”

The Bulloch County Fire Department (BCFD) will assume responsibility on July 1. With the current agreement that expires June 30, residents within the Five Mile Fire District pay a fire service millage rate, or fire tax for fire protection services provided by the City of Statesboro’s fire departments.

From July 1 onwards, all revenue generated from this tax will be fully invested in Bulloch County Fire Department resources, the commission said.

The fire tax will go towards expanding firefighting staff, acquiring new equipment and enhancing fire coverage. The commission said this will include additional fire stations within the Five Mile Fire District, which was previously restricted under the agreement.

In Dec. 2024, the Board of Commissioners voted to allow the most recent five-year intergovernmental fire services agreement to expire and provided the City of Statesboro the required six-month notice.

The City of Statesboro and Bulloch County Fire Departments will continue to work together and provide support through their mutual aid agreement, as needed, the commission said.