COVID Sweeps Through Toccoa Fire Department

By Ethan Jordan, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

COVID-19 has swept through the Toccoa Fire Department.

This week, Toccoa Fire Chief Jeff Haslup announced several firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to city staff, all Toccoa Firefighters have been tested; of those, numerous Firefighters received negative test results, so staffing at Toccoa’s two Fire Stations is manageable.

Haslup said the Toccoa Fire Department has a good and workable plan to ensure the safety of the public, but also the well-being of all the fire staff.

He said all shifts are covered and they continue to maintain safety services to the Toccoa community without interruption.

The City of Toccoa has Automatic-Aid Agreements with Eastanollee, Shiloh, and Carnes Creek Fire Stations.

Those fire stations will automatically and immediately respond to all structure fire calls within the city limits, according to Haslup.

Toccoa is also working with Stephens County Emergency Management Director Danielle Rhodes and Stephens County Fire Coordinator Jonathan Jordan to secure additional resources should they be needed.

City Manager Billy Morse is assuring the public that they can be confident the Toccoa Fire Department will continue to provide excellent first responder and fire response services during this time.

Vice-Mayor Evan Hellenga added that the Toccoa City Commission is aware of the situation and is committed to providing the necessary resources to protect the health and safety of the community.

All fire trucks and both fire stations have been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to minimize and hopefully eliminate further spread of the virus.

The Toccoa Fire Department is following CDC and Health Department guidelines, and those firefighters testing positive will not be allowed back at work until they are cleared.