Putnam County Fire Department

A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

Blazes burn boat, barn

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters fought a barn fire Thursday evening, July 23, and a boat fire Friday morning, July 24, according to Fire Chief Thomas McClain.
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters extinguish what was left of a fire that burned this detached garage to the ground last week. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Fire Department firefighters extinguish what was left of a fire that burned this detached garage to the ground last week. CONTRIBUTED

Fire takes boat, Harley, and hay

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 26, 2026
A Putnam County resident lost his boat and motorcycle in a fire last week, while a farmer in a separate incident lost several bales of hay, according to Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain.A field on Little Circle was being burned to clear out sagebrush when the fire spread into nearby...
In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putting Putnam’s literal lifeline together

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
When Joe Thompson and James Gregory agreed to meet at Eatonton City Hall in June 1974, they had no idea of what they were getting into. They also had no uniforms, no equipment, and no guarantee of income.
The fire burns off the gas leaking from the propane tank. CONTRIBUTED

The fire burns off the gas leaking from the propane tank. CONTRIBUTED

Well house blaze causes dangerous propane tank fire

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
A propane tank fire was safely extinguished, with no explosion or injuries, thanks to the work of Putnam County Fire Department firefighters.The fire happened around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at a residence on South Harmony Court, according to Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain.The well...
Smoke and flames can be seen on the back of the house as City of Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters begin to battle the blaze. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

Smoke and flames can be seen on the back of the house as City of Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters begin to battle the blaze. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

Family survives house fire thanks to passerby

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, September 11, 2025
A passerby who alerted residents that their home was on fire may have saved their lives. However, the family’s pets perished in the house fire early Saturday morning.“It was two cats and one dog that didn’t make it,” Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said. “And their car burned up, too.
A hose supplies water from Putnam County’s fireboat in the lake to the ground trucks battling the blaze. This was the first time the fireboat has been used on a Putnam fire, although it has been used to provide mutual aid to Baldwin County Fire Department. CONTRIBUTED

A hose supplies water from Putnam County’s fireboat in the lake to the ground trucks battling the blaze. This was the first time the fireboat has been used on a Putnam fire, although it has been used to provide mutual aid to Baldwin County Fire Department. CONTRIBUTED

Newly staffed fire station, fireboat battle blaze

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 21, 2025
A fire broke out in a house on the 200 block of Rockville Springs Drive on Monday.
With Putnam County Fire Chief Tom McClain by his side, County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp enthusiastically cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the county’s new fire/EMS/coroner facility north of Eatonton, alongside the bypass. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With Putnam County Fire Chief Tom McClain by his side, County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp enthusiastically cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the county’s new fire/EMS/coroner facility north of Eatonton, alongside the bypass. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New fire station wows Putnam County crowd

Rufus Adair
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Past, present, and future all got their due Monday afternoon at the dedication of Putnam County’s new three-building, $6.5 million complex that now serves as the headquarters and hub for the county’s fire department, ambulance service, and coroner’s office. The ceremonies featured two dedications.
The new Putnam County Fire Department opened a new station on Monday, Oct. 30. CONTRIBUTED

The new Putnam County Fire Department opened a new station on Monday, Oct. 30. CONTRIBUTED

New Putnam County fire station opens Monday

Rufus Adair
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Next Monday, Oct. 30, the three-building, $6.5 million, two-years-under-construction complex for Putnam County fire, emergency medical, and coroner services will be dedicated and opened for visitors.
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