Meet the Administration
M. Allen McCullough
Fire Chief/Director of Public Safety
M. Allen McCullough has served Fayette County for over 25 years in an administrative capacity beginning January 1, 1983, as the Director of EMS and over the years, assuming additional duties and responsibilities in fire administration, emergency management and homeland security during his tenure. He was given the nickname of "Doc" by the Station 4 Volunteer Fire Chief Sam Champion in the early 1980's because he was one of the first paramedics to serve the rural community at that time. Chief McCullough has a diverse background in both health care and public safety including a Ph.D. in Management with a focus on public safety administration. He also holds master's degrees, including a master's in Public Administration, Fire Safety Engineering and a Master of Science in Nursing as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner from Emory University. He holds certifications and licensures as a Paramedic, Registered Nurse, Firefighter, Fire Service Instructor, Peace Officer, Arson Investigator, Emergency Manager and a Fire and Paramedic Instructor for almost 30 years.
Chief McCullough was recognized by Governor Sonny Perdue on October 22, 2003, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center as a recipient of the Governor's Public Safety Award for outstanding contribution to the profession and was recognized in 1990 by Georgia Baptist Medical Center as the first recipient of the Life Award for his efforts for the enhancement of emergency medicine to the State of Georgia. Chief McCullough was one of the first 100 fire officials in the United States to be recognized by the Commission on Professional Accreditation as a Chief Fire Officer. He is also an active member of the International Fire Chief's Association and has represented them in various capacities at a national level on matters impacting Emergency Medical Services in the United States.
Chief McCullough also serves as a faculty member at Mercer University in the Public Safety Executive Leadership Institute as well as Emory University in the School of Nursing and the School of Emergency Medicine. He presently serves on the Advisory Board of the Georgia Fire Academy and has served in various leadership roles in regional and state EMS regulatory boards.
He has served for six years on the Board of Directors for the National Registry of EMTs which is the national certification board for the EMS profession. Chief McCullough is most known nationally and internationally as an executive leader with the American Heart Association and presently serves as the Chairman of the Southeast Community Strategies Council which guides the implementation of emergency cardiovascular care systems throughout the Southeast United States. In addition, he serves nationally on the Advanced Cardiovascular Care Committee and the Education Committee of the American Heart Association which establishes the guidelines for resuscitation, science and education throughout the world. Chief McCullough serves on the International Training Team and was one of the five who introduced emergency cardiovascular care training to the University of Hong Kong School of Medicine in 2006, which prepared physicians in China to instruct others and to prepare medical staff for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He was recently recognized by the American Heart Association as a contributor to the textbook which now serves to guide the system design and management of Acute Myocardial Infraction (Heart Attack) which will be utilized worldwide.
Chief McCullough was appointed by the Board of Commissioners in 1987 to chair the Fayette Hospital Task Force to lead the efforts in obtaining a hospital for the Fayette community. The nine-year battle was realized in 1995 with the opening of what is now Piedmont Fayette Hospital.
Chief McCullough has served in the capacity of Interim Fire Chief and Public Safety Director for over 18 months and now has been officially appointed as Chief of Fire and Emergency Services and as the Director of the Division of Public Safety. In that role, he serves as the Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management/Homeland Security and as the Chief Executive Officer over Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management/Homeland Security, Emergency 911 Communications, Marshal's Office and Animal Control.
According to Chief McCullough he "intends to build upon the foundation and success of the previous directors, Chief Larry Smith and Chief Jack Krakeel to continue to provide professional public safety services to our citizens with a consolidated systems approach and in the coordination of multi-discipline public safety departments whose mutual mission is to protect, serve and be the guardians of this community." "Our established reputation in service excellence is directly related to the dedicated and well trained men and women of public safety who embrace service to others in a caring, compassionate and humanistic manner." "I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that we will certainly face in the years to come as we continue to serve this community with our dedicated team of professionals." Our mission is simple, "With respect, honor, and integrity we serve, defend, and protect. We are the guardians of the community."
Administrative Staff
Deputy Chief Bartlett
Deputy Chief Bartlett started his career with Fayette County in July of 1980 working for the Road Department as a part of the paving crew. During this time he was training with the District #4 volunteers as a firefighter. In January of 1981 the District and County hired the first two paid firefighters, Chief Bartlett was one of these two, and assigned to Station #4.
As the department grew additional personnel were hired and Chief Larry Smith was hired as the first paid Chief in 1983 and organized a fire department into what is today the Department of Fire & Emergency Services. Chief Bartlett was promoted to Lieutenant along with six others in the first promotional exam administered by the county.
In addition to serving as a Firefighter and Station Officer Chief Bartlett has served as Captain and Battalion Chief in charge of fire training.
Currently Chief Bartlett serves as Deputy Chief for the Department of Fire & Emergency Services and as Deputy Director and Chief of Staff of Public Safety assisting Chief McCullough with the operational and administrative components of Public Safety.
Chief Bartlett is certified through the National Professional Qualifications System as a Fire Instructor and Fire Officer 4. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy, Executive Fire Officer Program and is recognized as a Chief Fire Officer by the Commission on Professional Credentialing. He is a graduate of Dekalb College with an Associates Degree in Fire Science, a graduate of Shorter College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and is currently enrolled at Columbus State College in the Law Enforcement Command College pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He is both a State of Georgia and Nationally Registered Paramedic.
Chief Bartlett is a member of the International Association of Fire Chief’s, a member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, a member of the Safety Officers Association, and a member of the Metro Atlanta Fire Chief’s. He attends Brooks United Methodist Church and resides in south Fayette County with his spouse Lee Ann and daughter Alexandra.
Commander David Scarbrough
Commander David Scarbrough is a 24 year veteran of the Department and is the division director of the Fayette County Bureau of Fire Prevention. His responsibilities include the enforcement of all County related fire ordinances, the review and approval of building plans, life safety code enforcement and outdoor burning regulations. Commander Scarbrough serves as the County Fire Marshal and is the lead investigator in determining the cause and origin of fires especially in suspected cases of arson. Additional responsibilities include educating the community, especially children about fire safety and prevention. Commander Scarbrough can be reached via e-mal at davids@fayettecountyga.gov
Commander Steven Folden
Commander Steven Folden joined Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services in 1985 as a volunteer while still in High School. In 1987 he was hired on as a paid Firefighter/EMT, working his way up the ladder first as Firefighter/Paramedic, a station Lieutenant then as a Captain/EMS Educator in the training division. He now serves as the Division Commander of Administrative Services. His primary responsibilities include Fire and EMS training, EMS billing, policy and protocol development, infection control, HIPPA compliance, and departmental quality assurance. He also serves as the assistant EMS director and acts as liaison with other departments and services.. Commander Folden sits on many local, state and national boards for Emergency Medical Services, and has an Associate’s Degree in Paramedic Technology. Commander Folden’s career with Fayette County has covered more than 20 years.
Captain Pete Nelms
Captain Pete Nelms is assigned the responsibilities of all emergency management and Homeland Security activities for Fayette County as the County’s Emergency Management Coordinator. These responsibilities include disaster planning, emergency operations center coordination, plan development, risk assessment and analysis, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities. He is also the designated Public Information and Public Affairs Officer for the Department of Public Safety. He also coordinates hazardous materials industrial planning and reporting requirements as the Chairman of Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC. Captain Nelms is designated and certified internationally as a Certified Emergency Manager by the International Association of Emergency Managers. He is also certified through the Georgia Emergency Management Agency as a certified Emergency Manager. He also is a certified Firefighter and Paramedic. He has been employed by Fayette County for 21 years. Captain Nelms can be reached peten@fayettecountyga.gov
Captain Jimmy Hall
Captain Jimmy Hall joined Fayette County Fire and Emergency Services in 1982, after transferring from the Fayette County Road Department. Captain Hall graduated from Fayette County High School in 1981 during this time he volunteered for the District 4 fire station. In 1982 He became a paid Firefighter/EMT and after several years on line was promoted to the rank of Station Lieutenant. Today Captain Hall serves as the Logistics/Fire training officer, he also instructs the fire specialty courses such as fire apparatus operator, aerial apparatus operator, his other duties serves as the department liaison for facilities and fleet maintenance, and daily scheduling of personnel. Capt Hall holds Certifications as a Fire Officer IV NPQ and Fire Instructor III NPQ as well as NPQ Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician.
