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Atlanta Fire Rescue reports Q2 upticks in EMS calls, hiring progress and station updates
Summary
Atlanta Fire Rescue presented second‑quarter (Oct–Dec) service metrics showing increases in downtown EMS calls and ongoing recruiting and station projects; the department cited staffing and training capacity constraints and said ribbon cuttings for new stations are forthcoming.
Chief Smith of Atlanta Fire Rescue told the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee on Jan. 16 that second‑quarter metrics (October–December) showed a rise in calls and continued progress on hiring and facilities.
Chief Smith said downtown calls increased roughly 11 percent year‑over‑year and airport calls increased about 2 percent for the quarter. EMS calls — the largest share of AFR calls — rose about 18 percent in the quarter; the department reported 8,599 total EMS calls in the downtown second quarter. For the fiscal year, the department reported a total of 6,372 calls at the airport during the period reported.
Recruiting: Chief Smith said 26 members were hired as of June 30, 2024, and approximately 104 recruits were in recruit school against a target of 120; a recruit graduation with roughly 30 members was anticipated around Jan. 20. Net staffing changes for Oct–Dec were plus five sworn and plus nine civilian positions. The chief said the training center’s capacity (about 120) and long training cycles (12–14 months) are the main constraints to faster staffing gains.
Facilities and fleet: Chief Smith said Station 22 on Hollywood Road is now occupied and a ribbon cutting will be scheduled; Station 30 has been demolished and foundational work is underway; Station 26 ribbon cutting is expected soon. He said the department requested funding for eight engines and 11 ladders and that funding was in place through prior legislation.
Inspections and operations: The department reported a roughly 29 percent decrease in code‑enforcement activity for downtown inspections in the quarter, which Chief Smith attributed to vacancies and said numbers should recover as positions are filled. He said ramp and fueling inspections at the airport remain steady due to FAA requirements.
Why it matters: The Q2 report shows growing demand for emergency medical services and ongoing capital projects; council members asked for more detailed fleet ETAs and a deeper breakdown of inspections and code‑enforcement work following recent fires in the city.
