“It’s wonderful. It’s the best news we’ve probably had this year and that’s because it’s about safety."
That's what Atlanta IAFF Local 134 President Nate Bailey had to say after city officials unanimously agreed to boost staffing on engines and trucks.
“It’s very important to have four and four. Most big cities have four and four, some even have four and five. The reason is the high-rise buildings, the threats we have in the city. We have huge stadiums. Some rural departments may only have three, but in a big city, you need four. Four means faster rescues. It means the difference between saving a life or planning a funeral,” he told ANF.
However, Councilmember Michael Julian Bond said even with the resolution, the city cannot mandate the chief to implement these staffing changes.
Fire Chief Rod Smith said his department is 85% staffed, with about 100 or 105 position vacancies.
After the vote, the department issued a statement: “We deeply value our firefighters and the critical work they perform every day. That’s why we are committed to addressing concerns directly, honestly, and within the framework designed to protect both employees and the people we serve. We will not allow misinformation or theatrics to distort the facts or distract from our mission. AFRD will continue to operate based on safety, sound management, and unwavering service to the residents of Atlanta.”
