The Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee unanimously approved a resolution on Oct. 13 requesting that the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department adopt staffing standards calling for a minimum of four personnel on engine companies and four on ladder/truck companies when possible.

The resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Michael Julian Bond and approved by voice vote, asks the fire chief to adopt the staffing standards and provide procedures for circumstances when on-duty personnel are not available; it allows limited exemptions under extreme circumstances.

Why it matters: Firefighters and union leaders said four-person crews improve firefighter safety and increase the department’s ability to perform the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommended “two-in, two-out” procedures. The union argued the measure could reduce on-scene fatalities and serious injuries; the chief cautioned that staffing is an operational responsibility and noted the department is currently meeting the spirit of NFPA 1710 in many responses.

Fire Chief Rod Smith told the committee that NFPA 1710 is a guideline and that the department’s staffing model has been validated by external reviews, including an ISO Class 1 rating and an accreditation reaccreditation earlier in the year. He warned the council against turning daily operational staffing decisions into political mandates.

Nate Bailey, president of the Atlanta Professional Firefighters, called the matter urgent and described recent incidents where apparatus were out of service and crews were undermanned. “If we can put 4 on the truck, we can prevent a funeral. If we don't, we might be asking you for 6 so we can lower the casket into the ground,” Bailey said.

Committee members pressed for more detail on hiring timelines and vacancies. Chief Smith said the department was about 85% staffed at the time of the meeting, with roughly 100–105 vacancies, and projected that hiring at current rates could reach roughly 90% staffing within 12 months. He said the department is using overtime to keep apparatus staffed while recruiting continues.

Next steps: The resolution was approved by the committee; committee members and the chief discussed using the upcoming budget process to prioritize recruitment, retention and compensation to reach desired staffing levels.