The bell rang early Jan. 1 at the Rico Road fire station in Chattahoochee Hill Country. And the call that came over the loudspeaker signaled a changing of the guard. That change signified the transition that puts fire services squarely in the hands of the new Chattahoochee Hill Country Fire Department.

“This is a momentous occasion. Working with Fulton County firefighters was great, we need to recognize that first,” said interim city manager Bob Simpson, providing an entree to the transition announcement. “This morning is the first real tangible thing we’ve seen to put our city in business. The transfer of responsibility occurs over the radio at 8 a.m.“

Newly hired Chatt Hills Public Safety Director and long-time Palmetto firefighter Larry Parrott told those in attendance that firefighters and paramedics at the new 12-person city department came largely from Fulton County and East Point and included a deputy chief, an instructor for state firefighter standards and training and a retired fire marshal.

“This is a big undertaking. And we’ve taken some of the best from other departments,” Parrott said. “We want to know the citizens one on one. We want you to visit us here so that you can get to know us and we can get to know you.”

Parrott said the fire station had been purchased from Fulton County for $5,000 and that two fire trucks, 1995 and 1996 models, and firefighting equipment had been purchased for approximately $74,000. In his remarks, Parrott noted that four Fulton County Sheriff’s deputies would be patrolling the new city for the next few months while the police department is put in place.

“This is a great moment for us,” Mayor Don Hayes said as he welcomed the city’s new firefighters and acknowledged the service to the community Fulton’s firefighters had previously provided. “This is our first step in public safety.”

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