Jackson County Fire Protection
- West Jackson Fire Department
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
A guide for residents of Braselton, Hoschton and West Jackson
New to Braselton or Hoschton, Georgia? Even if you've lived here all your life, the boundaries can be confusing. Zip codes, city limits, county lines, service areas—they all criss-cross to make one complicated map! Here is a breakdown of what the West Jackson Fire District is, where it is, and what it means to you.
Do you live in the West Jackson Fire District?
West Jackson Fire District serves 30 square miles including the city limits of Braselton and Hoschton inside Jackson County, and unincorporated areas in western Jackson County. If you have a Braselton or Hoschton address AND your property is located in Jackson County, then you are part of the West Jackson Fire District. If you don't know what county you live in, check your driver's license or property tax bill.
When WJFD was created, both Braselton and Hoschton were located entirely inside Jackson County. Now, the town of Braselton extends into Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall counties, as well! West Jackson Fire Department serves the portion of Braselton inside the Jackson County boundaries.
A word about zip codes... If you have a Braselton or Hoschton address, that does not necessarily mean that you live in the city limits of Braselton or Hoschton. Zip code maps were created by the United States Postal Service in 1963 to streamline mail delivery. Zip codes do not correspond with city limits.
What is the West Jackson Fire District?
Unique to our area, the West Jackson Fire District is an independent local government created in 1972 by the state legislature with the purpose of providing fire protection to residents of Braselton and Hoschton. Just like other local governments, the West Jackson Fire District publicly elects a board, holds public meetings, levies taxes to fund departmental operations, has a transparent budgeting process, and abides by open records requirements.
Most fire departments in Georgia are part of another government. Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall county fire departments are part of their respective county governments; Commerce and Jefferson fire departments are part of those city governments; and the other Jackson County fire departments are incorporated businesses contracted by Jackson County Government.
Unlike a city/county government that provides a variety of services, our sole focus is fire protection and prevention. For this reason, West Jackson Fire District residents can rest assured that they have the best fire department that their tax dollars can buy! Members of the Fire Board maintain a close relationship with the municipalities and taxpayers, so they can direct funding to meet the specific needs of the immediate area.
Does WJFD ever serve outside of Jackson County?
Not really. West Jackson Fire Department will assist Gwinnett, Hall or Barrow if additional assistance is requested, but WJFD generally stays within Jackson County.
The fire districts in Jackson County have "mutual aid agreements," meaning the neighboring districts have agreed to assist each other when a special response is needed. Mutual aid agreements ensure that you always get help when you call 9-1-1.
If you have any questions about the West Jackson Fire District, we are happy to answer your questions. We are also available to visit a neighborhood, school, or organization within our fire district to talk about the fire department and how you can practice fire safety.