About the Department The Savannah Fire Department is steeped in history dating back to the City’s first organized fire company in 1759. It is the first fully-mechanized fire department in the United States.
Interim Fire Chief William Handy took over on Sept. 19, 2025. Chief Handy has served Savannah Fire for 29 years in multiple disciplines within the department. For seven years, he served as assistant fire chief before being promoted to deputy fire chief in 2024. He leads an ISO Class I fire department of more than 300 full-time, professional firefighters.
Interim Fire Chief William Handy
VISION We are committed to serving our community while preserving life and property.
MISSION We are committed to serving Savannah by continuously improving with a culture that encourages innovation, professionalism, and inclusion.