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Atlanta Fire Rescue reports rising EMS demand, fleet deliveries and FIFA preparedness
Summary
Atlanta Fire Rescue told the Public Safety committee that downtown service requests rose ~4.4% and airport EMS calls rose about 50% in the quarter; the department reported 12 new pieces of equipment delivered since July 2025, recruitment gains and dedicated FIFA response planning.
Atlanta Fire Rescue presented quarterly metrics on Jan. 27 showing higher EMS demand downtown and at the airport, progress on fleet replacement and increased staffing as the city prepares for large events this year.
The chief said downtown service requests rose roughly 4.4% and airport EMS calls increased about 50% in the quarter, while actual fire incidents remain under 1% of call volume due to prevention and community risk‑reduction work. Since July 2025 the department said it received 12 pieces of equipment, has six units in production and has placed orders for additional engines and ladders; five pumpers are scheduled to arrive before the FIFA World Cup and a ladder truck is expected later in the summer. The department has requested six engines, two ladders and a replacement squad truck in the current fiscal cycle.
Recruitment remains a priority: the department reported 111 recruits in service at the new Public Safety Training Center, with 27 sworn in recently and graduation dates scheduled for May, December and February 2027. City staffing is now reported at over 90% for Atlanta Fire Rescue.
On FIFA preparedness and the BeltLine, the chief said the department will field dedicated equipment for FIFA while maintaining community coverage and has developed a BeltLine response plan coordinated with APD and E‑911 mapping (stickered light‑pole locations identify access points where fire trucks cannot reach). Councilmembers pressed about delivery timelines for custom apparatus and the impact of tariffs; the chief said vehicles are custom built to specification, industry supply issues can extend lead times (previously up to 36 months), and the administration is ordering earlier each fiscal cycle to mitigate delays.
What’s next: the department will continue recruitment, finalize fleet deliveries, and implement FIFA and BeltLine response plans. Councilmembers requested notice of recruit graduations so they can attend.
Quoted: "Safety is at the top of the list," the chief said when describing department priorities.
