White County Public Safety

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

The White County Sheriff’s Office and White County Office of Public Safety are joining together this September to recognize National Preparedness Month and encourage residents to take simple steps to make themselves, their families, and our entire community better prepared for emergencies.

Emergencies and disasters can happen with little or no warning. Whether it is severe weather, an extended power outage, wildfire, missing person incident, or another emergency, preparation before an incident occurs can make a significant difference when every minute matters.

Throughout September, the White County Sheriff’s Office and White County Public Safety will work together to share preparedness information, practical tips, and resources with the community as part of this year’s National Preparedness Month campaign.

This year’s theme, “Americans Stand Ready,” focuses on the important role individuals, families, first responders, and communities all play in preparing for and recovering from emergencies.

During the month, the campaign will focus on several important areas of preparedness, including:

➡️ Make a Plan: Know what your family will do, where you will go, and how you will communicate during an emergency.

➡️ Be in the Know: Make sure you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and important information.

➡️ Build a Kit: Gather essential supplies your household may need if normal services are interrupted.

➡️ Take the Next Step: Learn more about emergency preparedness, available training opportunities, and ways you can help make your community more resilient.

Preparedness is a shared responsibility. While first responders train and prepare throughout the year, residents also play an important role by staying informed, making plans, and knowing what to do before an emergency occurs.

Follow the White County Sheriff’s Office and White County Public Safety on social media throughout September as the two agencies work together to share preparedness information and resources designed specifically to help White County residents become better prepared.

For additional emergency preparedness information, residents can also visit whitecountyga.gov/ready.

08/29/2026

Before the sirens. Before the flashing lights. Before first responders arrive… there’s a voice. 📞

That voice could be yours.

White County 911 is hiring a Communications Officer to answer emergency and non-emergency calls, dispatch fire, EMS and law enforcement, provide critical information to responders, and help guide callers through some of their most difficult moments.

It’s fast-paced. It’s challenging. And what you do matters.

You may never meet the person whose call you answer — but you could make all the difference in what happens next.

Ready to answer the call?

📞 Join White County E/911.
➡️ Apply at whitecountyga.gov/jobs

08/26/2026

🎥 A look at Tuesday evening’s technical rescue on the face of Mount Yonah.

Great work by all of the responders involved in safely reaching and rescuing the stranded climber. 👏

08/26/2026

Stranded Climber Rescued from Face of Mount Yonah

White County Public Safety personnel successfully rescued a stranded climber from the west face of Mount Yonah after receiving a 911 call shortly after 7:00PM on August 25, 2026.

The climber reported to White County 911 that they had become stranded while free climbing the face of the mountain. The individual was not injured but was stuck on a ledge and unable to safely continue up or down the mountain.

White County Fire Services, White County EMS, White County Emergency Management, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources responded to the incident.

White County Emergency Management deployed its unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, which was instrumental in quickly locating the stranded climber approximately 260 feet up the face of the mountain. Fire personnel made their way to the area and determined the climber was stranded on an approximately 20" x 20" ledge with no safe way to exit.

Firefighter Will Roper rappelled down the face of the mountain to reach the stranded climber. Working with personnel operating the rope system above, Roper was able to secure the climber and assist them to safety.

The rescue was completed approximately 42 minutes after crews arrived on scene.

White County Public Safety would like to recognize the coordinated response of all agencies involved and the work of personnel who safely brought the incident to a successful conclusion.

08/25/2026

This may affect your morning commute:

08/24/2026

The White County Office of Public Safety celebrated the service, dedication, and accomplishments of its personnel during the inaugural White County Public Safety Awards held Saturday, August 22, at the White County Performing Arts Center.

The ceremony brought together employees from Animal Control, 911 Communications, Emergency Management, and Fire Services, along with their families, county leadership, community partners, and fellow first responders for an afternoon dedicated to recognizing those who serve White County.

“This was an opportunity for us to come together as one Public Safety team and recognize the people who make this organization what it is,” said White County Director of Public Safety David Murphy. “Our employees serve in very different roles, but they all share the same commitment to taking care of this community. It was also important for us to recognize the families who stand behind them and support the sacrifices that come with public safety service.”

The program included opening remarks from emcee Joel Williams, an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance led by Scott Lomas, and the National Anthem performed by Brooke Ledford. Murphy provided remarks on behalf of the Office of Public Safety, followed by a keynote address from Chad Black and remarks from White County Manager Derick Canupp. The event concluded with remarks and a congratulations to all recipients by White County Board of Commissioners Chairman Travis Turner.

Throughout the ceremony, awards were presented recognizing accomplishments across the Office of Public Safety as well as outstanding service within each of its four divisions. Recognitions highlighted leadership, valor, professional development, innovation, mentorship, teamwork, community service, and other contributions made throughout the organization.

General Public Safety Awards
Innovation Award – Collins Dunn, 911 Communications
Golden Heart Award – Matt Merritt, Fire Services
Rising Star Award – Emily Booth, 911 Communications
Meritorious Mentor Award – Matt Merritt, Fire Services
ARI Award – Liberty Garrett (911 Communications), Jody Holland (Fire Services), Jonathan Jones (GEMA), Patricia Mullis (911 Communications), Joni Schoenbrun (911 Communications), Terry Stewart (Fire Services), Don Strength (Emergency Management), Trace Swoszowski (Fire Services), Josh Taylor (Fire Services), Jessica Wood (911 Communications).

911 Communications Division
Communications Officer of the Year – Kay Trott
Supervisor of the Year – Blake Nguyen
Valor Award – Jessica Wood
Beyond the Headset Award – Amber Finley
Positivity Award – Blake Nguyen

Animal Control Division
Community Outreach & Adoptions Award – Samantha Iglehart
Outstanding Service Award – Anthony Cannon
Problem Solver Award – Astrid DeWeever

Emergency Management Division
CERT Responder Award – Chuck and Barb Blane
Collaboration Award – Leah Torregiano
Professional Development Award – Bryce Barrett
Administrative Achievement Award – Marsha Derrick

Fire Services Division
Firefighter of the Year – Will LaPree
Fire Officer of the Year – Jody Holland
Valor Award – Trace Swoszowski
Professional Development Award – Dakotah Allison
Volunteer of the Year – Collins Dunn
Company of the Year – Justin Ledford & Josh Milam

The White County Office of Public Safety includes Animal Control, 911 Communications, Emergency Management, and Fire Services and works collectively to provide coordinated public safety services to the citizens and visitors of White County.

Watch a live stream of the event here:

Live from the White County Performing Arts Center, Cleveland Georgia

08/22/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Habersham County Central Communications / Emergency Management Agency for sending four dispatchers to White County today to cover our 911 Communications Center while our dispatchers attended our inaugural Public Safety Awards!

Their team has trained alongside ours for the past two months to prepare for today and ensure uninterrupted service to our community.

We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and their willingness to support our team. Thank you, Habersham County 911!

08/21/2026

📺 BROADCAST ALERT | 2026 PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS

The White County Office of Public Safety will host its Inaugural Public Safety Awards this Saturday, August 22, at 3:00 PM.

We invite our community to join us online as we recognize the men and women who serve across White County Public Safety.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube, giving everyone an opportunity to celebrate the dedication, service, and accomplishments of our public safety personnel.

Tune in tomorrow at 3:00 PM!

08/18/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT – WHITE COUNTY 🚨

We have been made aware of yet another scam targeting citizens of White County, and this one is using some pretty convincing technology.

Scammers are spoofing phone numbers and pretending to be various law enforcement agencies—including the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department, and even federal agencies. They may claim you have an outstanding warrant, owe money, or are facing legal trouble, and ultimately demand payments of $25,000 or more. 😳

⚠️ PLEASE REMEMBER:
Law enforcement agencies will NEVER call you and demand that you send money over the phone.

If you receive a suspicious call:
📵 Hang up.
📞 Call the agency directly using a verified phone number to confirm whether the call was legitimate.
🚫 Do not provide personal information, banking information, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or send money.

These scammers are using technology that can change the caller ID displayed on your phone, making it appear as though the call is coming directly from a legitimate law enforcement agency. Do not trust the caller ID alone!

📱 *If you receive one of these scam calls, hang up and dial 57 to assist with tracing the call.

You can also self-report suspected spam or scam calls through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

Please share this post with your friends, family, and especially those who may be more vulnerable to these types of scams. A few seconds of awareness could save someone thousands of dollars. 💙

When in doubt, hang up and verify. Don't let a scammer scare you into making a decision!