HARDEEVILLE, S.C. (WTOC) – Jasper County leaders are moving to consolidate five county-created fire districts into one Jasper County Rural Protection Fire District, to improve response times, reduce gaps in coverage, and create more efficiency as the county continues to grow.
As that effort moves forward, the City of Hardeeville is pitching a separate proposal—called “Project Phoenix”—that would expand the Hardeeville Fire Department’s coverage into the southern unincorporated portion of Jasper County, an area currently served by county fire services.
This is the proposed fire coverage map that the City of Hardeeville is proposing to Jasper County.(City of Hardeeville)
Hardeeville City Manager Josh Gruber said the plan is centered on public safety and getting first responders to residents faster.
“Most residents and citizens don’t really care whose name is on the side of the truck that shows up,” Gruber said. “They just want them to show up as quickly as possible and help them when they need help.”
County officials say the consolidation effort is intended to enhance service while also addressing financial challenges tied to fire protection funding.
“The goal is ultimately to save taxpayer dollars, but the problem in the rub in all of this is I think we are effectively underwater on what we should be charging for fire service currently,” Attorney for Jasper County, Lawrence Flynn, said.
Under Hardeeville’s proposal, “Project Phoenix” would cost an estimated $3.5 million.
The city would take over operations at stations currently used by the county in those unincorporated areas and would hire about 30 new employees, adding to a current staff of around 50 firefighters.
Gruber said the project would not mean job losses for current Jasper County firefighters. Instead, he said the additional hiring would fill vacant county fire positions.
“Effectively, what we are hoping is going to be able to happen is that the county can take those vacant positions off of the employment role and the city will bring them on, and we’ll fill those positions,” Gruber said.
The proposal also outlines a cost-sharing approach, with Jasper County paying $2.9 million of the $3.5 million total, according to the city.
Jasper County’s timeline is to consolidate by the start of the 2027 fiscal year, which is July 1.
Gruber said Hardeeville could incorporate “Project Phoenix” by that date if both sides reach an agreement, but the city is also willing to launch the project later if more discussion is needed.