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Atlanta City Council makes historic investment
The shortage of equipment in the Atlanta Fire Department may be resolved soon as the City Council is expected to invest a record $18.2 million in a new vehicle fleet.
ATLANTA - The shortage of equipment for Atlanta Fire and Rescue should be resolved soon. The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to invest a record $18.2 million in a new vehicle fleet Monday night.
Related: Atlanta leader seeks millions to replace partly defunct fire fleet
This comes as emergency calls for the team have doubled since 2022.
FOX 5 first reported on the partly defunct fleet at the beginning of October. Atlanta Fire Chief Rodrick Smith admitted the loss of operable fire engines and ladder trucks led them to temporarily shut down at least three fire stations.
Councilman Dustin Hillis said he was losing sleep over the danger that posed to citizens across the city. Councilwoman Keisha Sean-Waites told FOX 5 she would make it priority to reopen those stations as soon as possible.
"Frankly, this is an urgency because this is a life or death matter," she said. "Seconds matter."
On Monday, the council met to review Hillis' drafted legislation for the investment. Not a single person opposed it.
Hillis released the following statement:
"With the passage of these two pieces of legislation, the City Council and Mayor Dickens have made a historic investment of over $18 million into our Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. Additionally, we are seeking the approval of another $5 million from Invest Atlanta to purchase additional fire apparatus for three fire stations within two of our Tax Allocation Districts. With the $18 million in funding approved today, the City of Atlanta will purchase eight fire engines, one ladder truck, one utility truck, two swift water rescue jet boats, all new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs), and all new heart monitors/defibrillators (AEDs). I am thankful for the support of every one of my 14 colleagues who signed onto the legislation, as well as Mayor Dickens and his executive leadership team, who have worked diligently with me and the Finance Committee on crafting this much-needed investment for the men and women of Atlanta Fire Rescue and the safety of our city's citizens and visitors."
Mayor Andre Dickens issued the following statement on the passage of legislation allocating more than $40 million for the Administration to invest in needed public safety equipment.
"Yesterday, the City Council unanimously passed two pieces of legislation approving over $40 million of vital investments into the City's public safety equipment. I want to thank Councilmembers Dustin Hillis and Byron Amos who sponsored this legislation as well as the entire City Council for voting in support of our public safety initiatives.
"Legislation like this allows us to continue the implementation of our One Safe City plan which is focused on making all of our neighborhoods safe and welcoming for both residents and visitors. These investments will include new fire engines, trucks and lifesaving apparatus for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department as well as expanding the Atlanta Police Department’s take home vehicle program. This Administration is committed to supporting both APD and AFRD, and we will continue to ensure they have the resources and support they need to keep our entire city safe and secure."