26. Stronger Together: Equipping Rural Georgia to Fight Fire with Justin Brown & Charles Wasdin

Welcome to the Georgia Forestry Forum!

In today’s episode, GFC’s Rural Fire Defense Program Coordinator Justin Brown and Fire Chief Charles Wasdin take you inside Georgia’s Rural Fire Defense program to explore how GFC equips and supports rural fire departments with the tools they need to assist with wildfires across the state. From grant opportunities that help departments secure essential firefighting equipment to specialized wildfire training for local crews, you’ll hear how this program strengthens response capabilities and the critical partnership between wildland firefighters and structure firefighters that helps protect communities across Georgia.

Resources discussed:

• Rural Fire Defense Program | Georgia Forestry Commission
• Georgia Forestry Commission Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program (VFA)

Find Georgia Forestry Commission online:

• Website: https://gatrees.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaForestryCommission/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gatrees/
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GaTrees

Justin Brown
Rural Fire Defense Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
djbrown@gfc.state.ga.us

Charles Wasdin
Fire Chief
Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Fire and Rescue
(912) 375-6699

Credits:

YouTube Audio Library - 

• Duck in the Alley by Tracktribe
• Come On Out by Dan Lebowitz
• Running It Down by Everet Almond
• Too Late Now by Go By Ocean

Freesound.org Attributions - 

• Cha Ching by Lucish_
• Cinematic Impact Boom by Universfield 
• Digital Wildfire by vekoN
• Keyboard by MattRuthSound
• Radio Click by ERH

Have ideas, feedback, or questions? Let us know!