City of Atlanta CDP

Fire Services

 

The Atlanta Fire Department’s vision is to create, support and protect the City of Atlanta from loss of life and property where all people thrive and prosper.

Current Conditions

Inventory

The Fire Department maintains thirty-five (35) fire stations. Thirty-one (31) stations are within the city’s limits and four (4) are at Hartsfield International Airport. The stations, including the airport, are shown on Map 17.2 ‘Atlanta Fire Department Fire Stations’. The department also maintains a fire response fleet of seventy (70) vehicles, including twenty-five (25) trucks and forty-five (45) engines.

 

The Fire Department includes four divisions: 1) the Office of Fire Chief; 2) Administration; 3) Field Fire Suppression; and 4) Technical Services. The Office of Fire Chief includes the Fire Chief’s administrative staff and Office of Investigative Services as well as the Public Information Office.

Administration includes those personnel responsible for human resources, payroll, fiscal management, information services, and grants management support. Field Fire Suppression is responsible for emergency and disastrous incidents. Technical Services includes Communications, Fire Safety Education, Inspections and Fleet Management and maintenance support.

Assessment

The Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating for the Atlanta Fire Department is Class 2. This is as favorable a rating as is possible for Atlanta, resulting in lower fire insurance rates for Atlanta residents and businesses. Recently, the Commission on Fire Accreditation International completed its site review of the department’s accreditation application and forwarded a favorable recommendation for accreditation status. Final approval of this recommendation will designate Atlanta Fire Department as the 54^th fire service entity so commended in the country. Such designation bestows “World Class” status for Atlanta’s fire service. More information on this process is included in the Personnel Section of the document.

Fire Station Replacement

Priorities for opening new fire stations have been established based upon a ten- (10) year replacement schedule.  Under the current funding proposal, an average of two (2) fire stations will be built per year over the next five- (5) years, with one fire station being replaced in each subsequent year.  Locations that are high priority for new stations include Fire Station No. 13, currently located at 447 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, and Fire Station No. 28 currently located at 2040 Main Street.  Atlanta Fire Department’s Station #4 and #14 were remodeled and rededicated early in 2002.

Fire stations #13 and #28 are scheduled for construction 1n 2004 at an estimated cost of $1.5 million each. are scheduled for construction this year at an estimated cost of $1.5 million each.  There are twelve (12) fire stations scheduled for replacement over the next ten years.  Table 17.1 ‘Atlanta Fire Stations Replacement List’ provides a prioritized list for fire station replacement.

Fire Apparatus Replacement

The Atlanta Fire Department maintains a fleet of seventy (70) vehicles.  The average age of the fleet is 20 years.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides the fire protection industry with standards and guides to follow for procurement, maintenance, and disposal of fire apparatus.  NFPA recommends that fire apparatus have a useful life of approximately ten (10) years, depending upon maintenance and response activity.

An apparatus-leasing program has been instituted which addresses these issues. This program will provide 43 new front-line firefighting apparatus. The department received delivery of 38 apparatus in 2000-2001.  An additional 5 apparatus will be delivered in 2002.

The implementation of the basic life support engine concept provides each engine with the capacity to respond to medical emergencies has extended the services provided to the public. In 2001 there were 29,276 EMS responses.

A list of Atlanta’s existing fire stations is shown on  Table 17.2 ‘Existing Atlanta Fire / EMS Stations’.

Personnel

In addition to the need for equipment, apparatus and fire station replacement, personnel needs must also be addressed.  In 2002 seventy-five (75) sworn positions were abolished as well as seventeen (17) civilian positions were abolished due to the City of Atlanta’s budgetary crisis.  Staff reductions continued in 2003 with 15 positions abolished to help balance the city’s budget Initiatives will have to be implemented to reduce continuing strained overtime expenditures while maintaining service level.

The Atlanta Fire Department has been ranked as one of the most proficient full-service fire organizations in the United States.  There are only five (5) fire departments (out of 35,000) in the country ranked higher.  In addition, according to the National Run Survey published by Firehouse Magazine, the Atlanta Fire Department ranked in the top 100 of the busiest companies in the nation.  In that same survey, Atlanta finished an impressive 28^th on a national level.

Accreditation

The Commission on Fire Accreditation International is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self assessment and accreditation in order to provide continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities.

The idea for fire service accreditation originated in the mid-1980s with a Memorandum of Understanding between the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). This MOU led the way for the creation of the National Fire Service Accreditation Program, the predecessor of the CFAI.

In December 1996, the Agreement and Declaration of Trust for the CFAI was signed by the Board of Trustees and the new organization was created. The five member Board of Trustees has financial oversight of the organization.

In 1999 Fire Chief Minor started the process for Atlanta to achieve Accreditation.  This mission was given to three “Steering Committee” members with project oversight given to a “Project Manager”. 

The work was then split into to main areas to produce major work products and supporting reports.   The Self-Assessment Manual, or the “SAM”, which was divided by the 10 categories of the manual and assigned to 8 category leaders.  The category leaders worked with three Atlanta Fire Department Assessors (two Captains and one FAO).

Additional work products needed were two Risk Assessments, the Strategic Plan and the “Standards of Response Coverage”.  These additional reports brought about the creation of an office titled Assessment and Planning.  Four Captains and one Fire Medic staffed this office.

After all required work was completed, the AFD made official request to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). CFAI assigned five “Peer Assessors” to review the AFD SAM and travel to Atlanta and verify the information contained in the submitted documents.  The Peer Assessors spent up to two months reviewing the AFD Self-Assessment Manual.  The site visit process occurred February 10^th through the 14^th.   The recommendation of the Peer Assessors was to award the AFD an “Award of Accreditation”, which was formally awarded on March 23, 2002..

Emergency Medical Services

Current Projects

The provision of emergency medical care has significantly evolved over the last thirty years.  No longer is critical care delayed until arrival at the hospital.  Presently, thousands of lives are saved in the Atlanta area annually due to the advancements in on-site care provided by well-trained professionals.

Among these professionals are personnel of the Atlanta Fire Department (AFD), which employs all levels of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).  The care provided by AFD EMT includes, but is not limited to, assessment and care of ill and injured patients, initiation of intravenous lines, administration of advanced airway techniques, insertion of endotracheal interpretation of electrocardiograms and cardiac defibrillation.

The Atlanta Fire Department is an integral part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system for the City of Atlanta, with the fastest response time of all EMS responders in the area.  When a critical incident occurs affecting city residents, the Atlanta Fire Department is the first on the scene with an average response time of just over five minutes. 

To further enhance the AFD’s emergency medical services, the department is proposing an Emergency Medical Dispatch program in the year 2002. This program will provide improved triaging of medical calls, and further streamline the call processing time allowing units to arrive even quicker, and with more pertinent information concerning the call.  In addition, ambulance units will be dispatched from the AFD’s communications center, which will allow for better utilization of resources and better overall medical oversight.

The provision of emergency medical care has significantly changed the scope of services provided by the Department.  In 2002, the Department responded to 56,785 calls, of which 27,791 (49%0 were medical requests for assistance. During the period from 1997 through 2002, the Atlanta Fire Department’s EMS answered 187,383 medical calls. Figure 17.8 ‘Emergency Medical Services’ shows the number of EMS calls received in each of those years.

 

The Department has made substantial advancements to enhance the quality of EMS response capabilities. First, Department personnel receive state-of-the-art training and continuing education sufficient to meet State of Georgia and national standards.  Secondly, all department engines have been upgraded and now have Basic Life Support (BLS) capability, including Hartsfield Airport.  This upgrade is significant in that the availability of basic life saving technicians and equipment are within minutes of all City of Atlanta residents.

Anticipated Future Conditions

Fire station replacement and the updating of emergency fire vehicles are key anticipated actions.  Both initiatives are paramount to the continued efficient and expanded services provided by the Department.

Construction of new fire stations has been determined utilizing bond funds. The construction of these stations has already begun. The department has initiated the process of acquiring new sites for fire stations 13 and 28.

A regional training facility is currently under consideration as an innovation to promote high quality training.  This state-of-the-art facility will serve as the hub for fire service certification and training for multiple fire jurisdictions in multiple counties throughout metropolitan Atlanta area.  The specific region and facility site has been selected.  Partnerships for this project are being identified as well as potential funding sources.

Future Enhancements

Upgrades to expand training and equipment are planned to further the EMS magnifications already implemented by the Department.  These plans include advancements to bring on-line four Paramedic Life Support Units. One unit will be designated to serve each quadrant of the City, with two brought on-line each year through 2002.

These units will allow Department personnel to augment on-going services by providing additional training in advanced procedures, and the administration of drugs, including intravenous application.  

These embellishments will require additional funds for full implementation.  The costs for future enhancements are not covered by the annual budget allocation.  A break down of costs is graphically illustrated in Figure 17.9 ‘Future EMS Enhancements’.

Current Policies

General Policy

It is the policy of the Atlanta Fire Department to develop solutions and management plans which will enhance its ability to save lives and property and to increase service to the citizens by way of the Department’s Strategic Plan for Cost Effective Fire Protection. It is the Department’s policy to assess and maintain the upkeep and safety of its capital facilities.  The Department has six policy statements:

1. To provide responsive service to all emergency incidents.
2. To provide quality customer service and a safe work environment for the employee.
3. To exemplify and demonstrate professionalism and respect when conversing with citizens.
4. To advise and educate citizens through community based programs and workshops.
5. To monitor and enforce the state and city fire ordinances and mandates, and to inspect and permit those activities that will provide a safe and risk free environment.

Fire Department Impact Fees Policy

Fire and emergency medical services impact fee policies presented in this section are a summary of policies provided in two source documents: (1) “Technical Analysis of Public Safety Facilities for Impact Fee Policy Purposes,” based on findings of the Impact Fees Study, City of Atlanta, Georgia, by James Duncan and Associates and others, and (2) a city Council resolution establishing policies for the use of public safety impact fees.

Fire/Emergency Medical Services Impact Fees

Service Areas

One service area, encompassing the entire city is used for fire /EMS impact fees calculations.

Capital Costs

• There are three classes of capital facilities: stations, equipment and support facilities.
• Only fire stations and equipment with a useful life of ten or more years are used in calculation of impact fees. Support facilities are excluded due to the uncertainty regarding future plans for them.
• It is City policy to routinely maintain current stations through renovations. When a station becomes obsolete, it is replaced.
• The cost of major renovations and station replacement is not used in calculation of development impact fees.

Level of Service

• The City uses square feet of fire station building space per 1,000 functional population as its level of service measure.
• The City has adopted a level of service standard of 470 square feet of fire station space per 1,000 24-hour functional population

Use of Fire Department Fee Revenues

• Recoupment based impact fees can be used to recover the cost of previous capital-facility investments that produced excess capacity. (The current level of service exceeds the standard 470 square feet of fire-station space per 1,000, 24-hour functional population.) Thus, until the existing excess capacity is consumed by population growth, fire/EMS impact fees will be recouping previous investments.
• It is the policy of the City to deposit fire/EMS recoupment fees in an account to be used to finance fire/EMS capital facilities. Such funds shall also be used as needed to reimburse other impact fee accounts for lost revenues due to waivers of qualifying development. Such recoupment fees may be waived for qualifying developments without reimbursement of the recoupment-fee account from other revenue sources.
• To the extent that recoupment fees are not necessary to reimburse the City for transportation impact fee exemptions, the City shall only use public safety impact fee revenues to fund projects that (1) involve a capital improvement with a useful life of ten years or more, (2) is identified in the City’s comprehensive development plan, and (3) will expand the service capacity of the City’s public safety facilities so as to accommodate future development, and is identified as such in the City’s Capital Improvements Program.
• The City shall assign priority to projects for which City funds will leverage equal or greater amounts of state, federal and / or private funds.
• The City shall reserve three percent of public safety impact fee revenues to fund administrative costs associated with the collection and use of those revenues.

Current Programs and Projects

Traditionally, references to the Atlanta Fire Department relate to fire suppression and protection. However, for the past twenty-seven years or more, increased emphasis has been on prevention and education. The best way to fight fires lies in prevention. To that end, the Department has implemented numerous community fire prevention and safety education programs.  AFD’s community oriented programs span the following areas:

Cadet Program

A striking example of this type of initiative is the successful operation of the Atlanta Fire Department’s Fire Cadet Program. The Atlanta Fire Cadet Program is committed to providing participating youth with the skills necessary to help them to compete in the 21^st Century workforce.

Cadets receive classroom instruction and laboratory exercises in fire safety education; cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR certification, life coping skills, home inspections, hydrant inspections, and first aid based on recognized national standards.

Cadets also participate in activities to familiarize them with the services provided by the Atlanta Fire Department. Special emphasis is placed on encouraging participating youth to consider a career in the fire service. An analysis of Cadet achievements during this program year testifies to its effectiveness.

Twenty-five Cadets completed the program in the year 2001. The fact that three of those cadets went on to apply for firefighter positions aids further support in measuring the program’s effectiveness. The year 2001 saw an enhancement of follow-up services. Thanks to the concern of AFD personnel, thirty people came forth from AFD’s workforce to volunteer as Mentors to the cadets. Those mentors will not only follow-up with the Cadets during the school year, but they will also serve as citizenship role models.

The Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) has provided funding in previous years. AWDA has not continued funding of year round activities for 2001. To prepare for that contingency, additional funding sources will be solicited to sponsor next year’s Fire Cadet Program.

Fire/Disaster Safety Education Programs

In addition, the Atlanta Fire Department has implemented new and innovative fire safety, education and fire prevention programs in cooperation with the Atlanta Public Schools.  These include:

Disaster Dudes: Targeted for age 7-12 years old children.  The purpose of this program is to teach children how to respond and what to do in the event of a disaster (Flood, fires, tornado, etc). Videos and books are used as learning tools for the students.  The education section has received approximately 20,000 color-and-learn books in addition to a video for approximately forty-five (45) elementary schools in the city.  Disaster Dudes was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was given to local agencies to distribute. This program is an extended educational fire safety program.

Safety Education In Other Languages Program: With the immigration influx Georgia has experienced in recent years, the Atlanta Fire Department designed this program to teach citizens and visitors about safety accident prevention in areas such as fire, poison, seat belt, pedestrian, etc.  The target groups are those who do not speak English and live or visit Atlanta.  The Atlanta Fire Department will provide maximum services, training, employment information and opportunities to this target group. The intent of this program is to get the community actively involved with the fire department and to prevent fires from starting. There is no cost to implement this program. All of the materials will be donated for training.

Car Safety Seat Training Class

Today, various styles and types of child safety restraints, seat belts and vehicle features can make proper installation of safety restraints very difficult.  In fact, observational studies have shown that more than half of the child safety restraint systems used in Georgia have not been correctly installed.  Every weekend, in communities throughout Georgia, childcare advocates, law enforcement, fire and emergency personnel, and other volunteers conduct child safety seat clinics.

Even hospitals, health departments, law enforcement agencies, and some state governmental entities have certified child safety seat technicians available to assist parents with child safety seat installation assistance during normal business hours.

To facilitate the process of checking child safety seats and ensure that the children of Georgia are properly secured in safety seats, the City of Atlanta, Department of Fire Services will establish 30 Fitting Stations within the city limits of Atlanta.

Smoke Detector Distribution

Above and beyond these new programs, the Atlanta Fire Department has always championed the case for smoke detectors in every home.

Realizing the life saving potential of smoke detectors, the AFD solicited, funding through the year 2001 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. AFD intended to purchase 10,400 ten-year lithium battery powered smoke detectors to distribute to households occupied by low and moderate-income persons, the elderly, and persons with disabilities that live in the City of Atlanta. Unfortunately, funds were not awarded for 2001 activities. Once current inventories are depleted, no additional units can be installed until funding is identified.

Breakaway Burglar Bars

Every year in America far too many people die as a result of burglar bars trapping them inside their smoke filled homes during fires. In the year 2002, the Atlanta Fire Department expects to continue inspections of Breakaway Burglar Bar units. AFD has reached an agreement with the Atlanta Empowerment Zone Corporation to inspect this life saving hardware in the estimated twenty-five (25) remaining uninspected homes where Breakaway Burglar Bars have been installed.

Smoke Detector Batteries

Each year since 1990, the Atlanta Fire Department education section has received 5,000 free smoke detector batteries. Firefighters and education specialist to the elderly, handicapped persons and low-income residents distribute these batteries. This program helps to provide a continuous working smoke detector in the homes of those who fail to replace batteries in their own smoke detectors.

Smoke Detectors for Hearing Impaired

These specialized smoke detectors were made available through a grant. The education section will distribute these devices in communities and groups that have been identified as having persons who are hearing impaired. Special training and instructions are given to these individuals.

Stovetop Fire Extinguishers

This lifesaving equipment is used to extinguish fires on top of cooking stoves. $2,975.00 in grant funds was awarded to the education section, for the purpose of educating the citizens of Atlanta about this new device and distributing these stovetop fire extinguishers to them.

Trauma Intervention Program

Long after the flames have been extinguished at a fire scene, and long after a medical trauma event has been stabilized, victims of traumatic events still need help and counseling. Early in 2001, the Atlanta Fire Department partnered with the San Diego, California based Trauma Intervention Program to train civilian peer counselors to be on call to assist with just such needs. To date, several volunteer classes have graduated from training and are currently in service.

Specialized Project: Domestic Terrorism

No address on earth is beyond the capability of a determined team of terrorists to penetrate and destroy. In this age of proliferating nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in the arsenal of foreign and domestic terrorist, first responders such as the Atlanta Fire Department must be prepared for every disastrous contingency.

Security concerns caution against AFD publicly revealing its defensive capabilities. The Atlanta Fire Department can acknowledge however, that it has received a sizeable Domestic Preparedness Equipment Support grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The intent of that grant is for the Atlanta Fire Department and the Atlanta Police Department to acquire the specialized equipment that each will need to carry out its mission in the event of a terrorist assault within the City of Atlanta. The designated terrorist response equipment has been procured and installed by the Atlanta Fire Department, in full compliance with the DOJ’s terms and conditions.

The Atlanta Fire Department continues to monitor and respond to federal funding opportunities designed to provide local responders with the training and equipment so vital to Homeland Security.

Capitol Improvement Projects

Atlanta Fire Department has embarked upon a planned approach to insuring that the future needs of the City of Atlanta’s businesses and residents are met. The department is currently implementing an aggressive five-year capitol improvement program.  Table 17-7 portrays those plans and objectives.

2004 CDP Fire Services Current Programs and Projects

Project List : 2004 CDP Public Safety Current Programs and Projects - Fire

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