Protecting your life and property starts long before disaster strikes.
That’s why water operators and firefighters from all across Georgia filled the Emanuel County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) last week for a first-of-its-kind fire hydrant operation and maintenance workshop. By attending, they sharpened their skills, strengthened the partnerships that keep communities safe, and helped fulfill one of the original goals county leaders set for the EOC: creating a dedicated space for hands-on learning centered around public safety.
Hosted by the Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) and organized locally by Emanuel County Public Safety Coordinator Courtney Terwilliger, the workshop marked an important milestone for both the county and the state. It was the first classroom-style statewide educational event held inside the EOC, bringing to life the original purpose of the facility when it opened in 2022.
"After Hurricane Helene, we realized just how critical it was to have a strong, resilient water infrastructure," said Terwilliger.
That experience ultimately sparked the workshop that would bring firefighters and water operators together to learn from each other. Terwilliger continued, “Even though both of them rely on hydrants, they use them very differently. Water operators focus on system maintenance and water quality, especially during, say, a water main break whereas firefighters are concerned with fast, high-volume water access during emergencies. We wanted to cross-educate both sides, help them better understand each other's priorities, and make sure they understand how to work together efficiently before the next emergency strikes."
That idea occurred to Terwilliger in December. Fast-forward to two weeks ago and it became the reality when more than 50 people filled the EOC training room for a day’s worth of hands-on education. Twenty-four local governments from every corner of the state—as far north as Blue Ridge, as far east as Darien, as far west as Barnesville, and as far south as Nahunta—along with four private-sector organizations, attended the event.
Terwilliger said the turnout was a strong reminder of the shared commitment to public safety and professional excellence. "We knew there was a need, but seeing that many agencies from so many different backgrounds come together in one place was really encouraging," he said.
The training, free to participants, offered a robust schedule packed with valuable knowledge. Instructors covered: the history, uses, and applications of fire hydrants and valves; basic water distribution system hydraulics, fire flow testing, and how these factors impact ISO ratings; the impacts of distribution system fires on water loss, system safety, and resiliency; water quality issues and customer complaints associated with flushing procedures; hands-on demonstrations using a custom fire hydrant cutaway to illustrate operational and maintenance techniques; and flushing and flow testing procedures with live field demonstrations.
Additionally, by attending, water and water distribution operators were eligible to earn six continuing education points toward maintaining their certifications, an added incentive that drew strong interest from municipalities across Georgia.
The workshop was led by Skylar Lipson, a GRWA training specialist with more than 20 years of operational and instructional experience, and Shane Hall, a senior sales representative with AMERICAN Flow Control.
Hall, a former professional firefighter with two decades of service in metro Atlanta, brought a particularly engaging perspective to the training. In addition to his background in firefighting, Hall now specializes in fire protection and water distribution systems, making him uniquely positioned to bridge the knowledge gap between water operators and first responders.
One highlight of the day was Hall’s live demonstration, where attendees gathered around the demonstration trailer to watch and learn.
"Courtney is correct; water operators and firefighters often have different needs when it comes to hydrants," explained GRWA Executive Director Jay Matthews. "Those two priorities can sometimes work against each other if we don't communicate well and plan ahead, so the goal of this thing is really two-fold: preparedness and resiliency. When those [figurative] lines get crossed, you can run into problems, like opening a hydrant too fast and damaging pipes or not realizing a critical valve is closed when seconds count. Workshops like this help bridge that gap and get everyone on the same page."
Matthews also praised the community buy-in.
"Courtney and his team did an impressive job rallying participation. It’s not every day that you have small towns, large cities, and private companies all sitting together, learning from each other. That’s how real progress and learning happen," Matthews added.
Beyond the important technical skills learned, the workshop was also a celebration of the EOC itself. Designed with resiliency and education in mind after Hurricane Helene, the center served as the ideal setting for a training day focused on inter-agency collaboration, professional development, and emergency preparedness.
"When we built the EOC, we envisioned a place where public safety professionals could gather for emergencies obviously, but we also knew how valuable it would be for education, training, and planning," Terwilliger said. "This workshop was exactly what we hoped for, and hopefully we can do some more of this type stuff in the future.”
Lunch was provided by GRWA, giving participants a chance to network, swap stories, and discuss local challenges in a casual setting. Many attendees commented that the opportunity to share firsthand experiences with peers from other jurisdictions was just as valuable as the formal instruction.
The success of the event has already prompted discussions about future workshops and regional training opportunities. GRWA leaders expressed their interest in continuing to work with Emanuel County and surrounding communities to provide critical skills and technical assistance.
"Events like this help ensure that when the next emergency happens, whether it's a fire, a flood, or a storm, we are ready," Terwilliger said. "We owe that to the people we serve."
Citizens are also encouraged to be part of Emanuel County's ongoing resiliency efforts. As part of the commissioners’ year-long initiative to improve public transparency and online access to county government, the current hazard mitigation plan was added to the county website on April 7. The plan outlines the strategies Emanuel County uses to reduce risk and prepare for disasters of all kinds—from hurricanes and wildfires to snowstorms and more. Reviewing the plan helps citizens better understand the vulnerabilities in our area, the steps local government is taking to address them, and how individuals and businesses can contribute to long-term community resilience.
Terwilliger, EMA/911 Director Martha Culbreth, and other county leaders are also in the process of working with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission, and the University of Georgia’s PROPEL Rural Scholars to fully update and revise the plan. The updated version will be posted to the same location upon completion, which is expected to take several months.
The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners governs Emanuel County, focusing on legislative and administrative responsibilities. Comprised of representatives from five districts, the board oversees policies and programs that impact local development, budgeting, and public services. Commissioners work collectively to ensure fiscal responsibility and address community needs, collaborating with other county departments and agencies. They are committed to supporting economic growth, public safety, and community well-being across Emanuel County.
For more information about the commissioners and for the latest from the county government, visit 124 North Main Street in Swainsboro; call 478-237-3881; or follow us on Facebook..
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