CITY OF ATLANTA FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Kelvin J. Cochran
Public Safety Headquarters 226 Peachtree Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Main: 404.546.7000 • Fax: 404.546.8761
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AFRD Doctrine
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AFRD Operational Initiatives Action Plan
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AFRD Strategic Plan
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VISION
Atlanta Fire Rescue strives for excellence in emergency preparedness and response, to enhance our customer focused, innovative role as industry leaders, while overcoming expanding risks.
MISSION
Atlanta Fire Rescue provides prompt quality services to our stakeholders that promote safety, security, enhances sustainability, and enriches the quality of life through professional development and dedication to service
CORE VALUES
Integrity, Competence, Excellence, Honesty, Predictability, Accountability, and Ism-free
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THE DEPARTMENT
As a modern "all hazards" fire department, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department has four divisions of labor including the Chief of Staff, Office of Support Services, Field Operations, and Airport Operations.
The department is comprised of thirty five (35) fire stations, which includes five (5) at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There are over 1000 employees (988 sworn and 44 civilian) serving an area of 132 square miles within the city limits of Atlanta.
The department also provides mutual aid to neighboring cities and counties upon request.
In 2011, the department responded to 85,423 emergency calls.
CHIEF OF STAFF
Deputy Chief Wilmond Meadows
The Chief of Staff's office is responsible for the Office of Professional Standards, the Public Information Office, Homeland Security, the Capital Projects Office, and Assessment & Planning. The Chief of Staff also manages the budget of the Fire Chief’s Office and serves as the chairperson of the AFRD Disciplinary Review Board.
OFFICE OF SUPPORT SERVICES
Deputy Chief Michael Simmons
Support Services monitors Emergency Medical Services, Fire Code Enforcement, Fire Inspections, Fire Safety Education, and the Fire Investigations sections. This division includes the Fire Marshal’s Office, Fire Prevention and Education, Training, Communications and Information Technology, Human Resources, Fiscal, Recruitment, Member Services, and maintenance of all real property and administration.
FIELD OPERATIONS
Deputy Chief Randall B. Slaughter
Field Operations is responsible for responding to and mitigating disastrous incidents within the City from 30 fire stations. The agency handles an average 125 incidents per day including rescue, fires, hazardous materials calls, Emergency Medical Services alarms, and homeland security responses/planning.
The Office of Special Operations is a part of this division and handles the planning of special events and emergency medical services.
AIRPORT OPERATIONS
Deputy Chief Joel G. Baker
Airport Operations mission is to provide unparalleled Fire Protection, EMS, and other Emergency Services to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Community. The division’s infrastructure includes: 232 Fire Personnel (217 Sworn and 15 Civilian Personnel), 5 Fire Stations, 49 Front Line Response Vehicles (Aircraft and Structural), and 6 Auxiliary Response Vehicles. It is responsible for protecting the “World’s Busiest Airport” which host an average of 200,000 passengers per day.
The Airport division provides Aircraft and Structural Fire Response, Emergency Medical Services including Advanced Cardiac Life Support and transport, and Hazardous Materials Response and Mitigation. The division has its own training, inspections, and administration sections separate from AFRD proper. It also operates and manages the largest Automatic Defibrillator program in the Country. |
THE HISTORY
The history of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department dates back to February 2, 1848, when the Atlanta City Council formed a committee to investigate a fire problem in the brand new town. Only a week later, residents were ordered to have fire buckets in their homes. It would take three more years and several serious fires before the Georgia Legislature would approve a bill authorizing the formation of Atlanta Fire Company No. 1, which went in service on March 25, 1851. In 1852 fire cisterns were constructed in several areas downtown, during which the State Legislature again provided assistance to the fire service by requiring buildings to have a short ladder and two fire buckets.
Citizens, obtaining city and state charters, formed four separate fire companies. By early 1860, the City Council requested that the four companies combine and form one fire department. On January 20, 1860, all four companies were placed under one command structure.
The War between the States, and the eventual burning of Atlanta in 1864, devastated the small volunteer fire department. Union forces seized and/or destroyed all fire apparatus in the city. Atlanta remained an all volunteer department until July 1, 1882, when the six remaining volunteer stations were dissolved and the Atlanta Fire Department began with three “paid” fire stations.
Atlanta Firefighters have battled several major conflagrations over the years, and have fought several multi-fatality fires including the Winecoff Hotel and the Baptist Towers. These tragic events led to significant changes in fire safety codes, both within the city and nationally, in an effort to prevent a reoccurrence. Many of these changes not only affected fire safety in the United States, but throughout the world.
The fire service in Atlanta, from the days of volunteers to the professional paid department, has a rich history in saving lives and protecting property. From those meager beginnings the Atlanta Fire Department, and now the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, has grown to what it is today.
The history of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is a “work in progress”. We look forward to adding additional history about the City of Atlanta’s fire service, and hope you will continue to check back. |
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SMOKE ALARM RECALL HOTLINE 404.546.2733
Atlanta Fire Rescue Department is recalling all photoelectric smoke alarms that were distributed through the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Program. The smoke alarm that is being recalled can be identified by a silver UL label that is affixed to the back of the unit, as well as the three sets of slotted vents on the front side.
Any resident that suspects that they may have an alarm of this type is encouraged to immediately call the Atlanta Smoke Alarm Recall Hotline at 404.546.2733, or send an email to smokealarm@atlantaga.gov to receive an inspection and replacement, installed at no cost to City of Atlanta residents.
Front and back photograph of the affected smoke alarm
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RECENT EVENTS
AFRD Softball Tournament 2012
Battalion 2 "Deuces" Wins Championship
On September 8th and 15th, teams from all cross sections of the department played softball for the championship trophy. Teams were formed by members assigned to Headquarters, Training, Battalions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
After 7 games, the championship came down to the final two teams. Battalion 2 proved to be the better team, winning against Battalion 6 with a score of 8 to 3.
The purpose of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Softball Tournament is to utilize it as a vehicle for members to interact with each other, and to promote wellness activities throughout the department. Future games to be announced.
Please be sure to view game scores and additional pictures: AFRD Softball Tournament 2012
View additional "Recent Events" here
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NEWS STORIES
To receive current Atlanta Fire Rescue Department News please email afr-pio@atlantaga.gov |