In a recent government meeting, the commission announced a significant achievement for Montgomery Fire Rescue (MFR), voting unanimously to grant the department a three-year accreditation. This recognition places MFR among an elite group, as only 155 out of 14,000 annual services in the United States hold such accreditation. Notably, MFR is one of only 17 fire departments nationwide that are both ISO Class 1 fire accredited and ambulance accredited, with just nine of those being metro fire departments.

The accreditation is attributed to the strategic investments made by Mayor Reed in public safety, alongside the support from City Finance Director Betty Beeville and the city council. As part of this initiative, MFR has placed an order for 16 redesigned ambulances, representing an investment exceeding $3.6 million. This investment aims to enhance the reliability of BMS Systems in Montgomery for years to come.

Looking ahead, the department highlighted the need for further expansion, indicating that three to four new fire stations are necessary to accommodate personnel additions. Additionally, there is a call for increased staffing to support a revenue-generating EMS ambulance addition, with plans to add at least 24 positions in fiscal year 2025. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to improving public safety and emergency response capabilities in Montgomery.