The Bartow County Fire Department was established in December 1970 under Chief Harold Carlisle, one station and a three man crew. Now the Bartow County Fire Department operates a total of 13 stations providing fire protection for the unincorporated areas of Bartow County as well as for the cities of Kingston, Euharlee, Taylorsville, Emerson and White. We have an automatic Aid Agreement with the City of Cartersville and Mutual Aid Agreement with City of Adairsville and some surrounding counties.

The department has a total of 66 full-time employees,15 part-time employees, and 50 volunteer firefighters. Equipment operated and maintained by the department includes 13 Engine companies, 2 Aerial Ladder Trucks, 1 Tactical Unit, 3 Mini-Pumpers, 2 Light Rescues, 3 Reserve Engines, and 2 Fire-Rescue Boat stationed on Lake Allatoona.

Other services provided by the departments includes rescue, (including confine space, vehicle extrication, farm and heavy machinery extrication, a high angle rope rescue team and water rescue), first responder and EMT assistance to the Bartow County EMS, initial response to hazardous materials incidences, agency assist to local law enforcement agencies, victim recovery from drowning, and fire safety education. Our Fire safety education program reaches out to thousands of elementary school children each year. We also offer a program for juvenile fire setters and their parents as well as safety programs for the elderly and fire safety programs for the elderly and fire safety and fire extinguisher classes for local industry.
Future plans we have developed a long rang plan that helps up to identify areas for new Fire/EMS Stations, and a capitol improvement plan to help up upgrade and maintain our fire apparatus.