Countywide Fire Services Study

Greenville County is seeking sealed proposals for a comprehensive Countywide Fire Services Study (RFP #26040) to evaluate the current system of 33 independent fire subdistricts. The procurement aims to identify operational, financial, and governance challenges within the county's fire protection infrastructure. The selected contractor will conduct an extensive analysis of fire district boundaries, governance structures, staffing, equipment, facilities, mutual aid agreements, service levels, and response times. Key deliverables include a final report to be presented to the County's Committee of the Whole by April 5, 2026, which must provide recommended consolidation options, implementation steps, and a transition plan. The study requires thorough stakeholder engagement, including public forums in each Council district and consultations with fire chiefs, district boards, firefighters, municipal partners, and insurers. Specific evaluation areas include ISO/PPC (Public Protection Classification) analysis, financial assessments, legal consolidation pathways, human capital considerations, and potential structural options such as full countywide consolidation, regional consolidation, or hybrid models. Proposals are due by October 31, 2025, at 3:00 pm, with the RFP released on October 17, 2025.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current fire service system encompasses diverse administrative structures, including eight districts managed by County Council, eight with state millage limits, twelve with full state tax authority, and four municipal districts. While no incumbent vendors are directly identified, the study will require deep technical expertise in municipal fire service management, organizational restructuring, and comprehensive public service analysis. The complexity of the project suggests a significant budget allocation, though specific funding ranges are not disclosed in the available documentation. The fire districts span both Greenville and Spartanburg counties, with variations in legislative authority, tax collection capabilities, and operational autonomy. The chosen contractor will need to navigate a complex administrative landscape that reflects unique local needs, historical development, and fiscal considerations of each fire protection jurisdiction.