Chief Ross Smith presented Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s first‑quarter FY26 update and highlighted staffing, fleet and facility activity.

Smith said the department has hired 31 firefighters from approximately 1,400 applications and currently has 104 recruits in training; he said the next graduation is Jan. 20 with 25 recruits expected to complete training. "We currently have 104 recruits, and I’m happy to share with you that our next graduation will be in January, January 20, where we will have 25 additional recruits coming out of training," Smith said.

On fleet and apparatus, Smith listed recent deliveries (one engine assigned to the airport, one tow truck to Station 11, one hybrid truck in shop, seven command vehicles and three EMS supervisor vehicles) and said five engines are in production with expected delivery in May 2026 and a TDA (aerial) expected in July 2026. He said the department’s equipment request for the fiscal year includes six engines, two TDAs and a replacement squad vehicle.

Smith also reviewed station work: renovations completed at Stations 15, 21 and 14 and Station 1, Station 26 and Station 30 under construction with anticipated completion late next year; Station 25 demolition was complete and the rebuild target was given as 2027. He apologized for typos in a numbers slide and said corrected figures would be provided to the committee.

Committee members asked about funding and whether apparatus purchases are capital or operating; Smith said vehicle purchases have historically been capital and the department will coordinate with the CFO.