BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV)—Bryan County has appointed a new Fire and Emergency Services Chief. The county has chosen Matthew C. Burns to step in and fill the role beginning January 13, 2025.
Chief Burns has a distinguished career spanning 33 years in public safety. He began his fire service journey as a volunteer firefighter in 1991. Most recently, he served as a Battalion Chief with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department in Fairfax, Virginia.
Chief Burns has deployed to disaster sites across the United States and internationally as
part of the prestigious Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team VA-TF1 / USA-01.
With 21 years of service to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), he has excelled as a Task
Force Leader, Operations Chief, and Rescue Specialist.
"I am blessed at the opportunity to assume the position of Fire and Emergency Services
Chief for Bryan County Fire and Emergency Services," said Chief Burns. "I look forward to
leading a team committed to community service and taking care of one another. I am ready
to meet the challenges ahead and am excited for this next chapter of my career."
Chief Burns is a graduate of American Public University, holding a bachelor's degree in
Homeland Security.