This same argument is proposed by all fire departments during this budget cutting fiasco everywhere!

To say how many are there to go out on a truck (two, you say) means nothing to the average taxpayer!

Tell us this"
How many people are on the fire payroll? (all of them)

How many at each station (all of them)?

How many trucks go out at same time on the average? (max. and min.)

Can not one station ask another which is not busy for assistance?

How many total people does the FD have who do not go out on a truck regularly?

How many go in cars (supervisors, I suppose)?

I think you get the meaning of what we need to know to make an intelligent decision! This is a lot of tax money!

How many policemen also answer fire calls regularly also?

I know you answer police calls also in many cases. (fender benders and such).

No one will ever take your word if you don't provide accurate details!

To say how many are there to go out on a truck (two, you say) means nothing to the average taxpayer!

The national standard for Fire protection is NFPA 1710 which calls for 4 persons on all trucks and 5 or 6 in heavy industrial areas or high hazard areas, such as Fulton Industrial Blvd. 2 people on a fire truck can not effectively deploy hose, command incoming units on what to do, establish a water supply or if life safety is in question perform a rescue. Try to move 100+ pounds of dead weight while wearing an additional 60 pounds of gear is stressful even to someone that is physically fit.

Tell us this"
How many people are on the fire payroll? (all of them)

Currently employeed with Fulton County Fire are 125 FF's in South Fulton, 36 in North Fulton with an additional 1 Fire Chief, 2 Deputy Chiefs, 1 Fire Marshall, and assorted admin staff (such as training and prevention) to equal up to 170 total personal. But the key for the person in need is 125 people that are in the field, then cut that by 1/3 as FF's work 24/48 schedule, so roughly 40 people are on duty each day, if every one is here.

How many at each station (all of them)?

For a single engine company (Station 17 on Ridge Rd.)there should be 4 people on it every day due to the extended times for an additional truck to arrive with them. But most of the time there are only 3, and several times there have only been 2. Station 7 on Buffington Rd. should have 8 there, but again they have been running several days lately with only 4. that is half of what is required. BTW there are only 10 stations in SF that covers 107 square miles.

How many trucks go out at same time on the average? (max. and min.)

Depends on the call, medical only 1 engine with however many people are there that day. Structure Fire sends 3 engines, 2 ladders trucks (South Fulton only has 2 by the way)2 Battalion Chiefs, and 1 air unit, which would equal out to about 18 FF's depending on staffing.

Can not one station ask another which is not busy for assistance?

If they are overwelmed by the call sure they will ask for help. But sometimes someone had an emergency before you did. The next closest truck may be busy. So you may have to wait longer for help. We can even ask another department for help, if they have it to send. this goes back to having 1 department, which is more efficient, instead of having 7 departments in South Fulton county now. Which having 7 departments is a waste of taxpayer money due to dupilication of services. There should only be 1.

How many total people does the FD have who do not go out on a truck regularly?

Only admin staff does not get on a truck to answer calls. Some of them are not sworn FF's (i.e. prevention, inspection, payroll)there are only 13 that are not sworn FF's. You also have to count the Chiefs but they do respond to major incidents.

How many go in cars (supervisors, I suppose)?

1 person on each Batt. car. There should be 2 on it, on of which is an aide. It is kinda hard to plan for an incident, assign trucks, talk on the radio and drive in the Atlanta area with lights and sirens on.
I think you get the meaning of what we need to know to make an intelligent decision! This is a lot of tax money!
Glad you are asking, hope you understand everything.

How many policemen also answer fire calls regularly also?

The only reason that police are assigned to calls with us such as medical calls is for our safety. People are alot more violent nowadays. Usually they are canceled so that they can continue with police work. But they do have to go to violent scenes such as shootings to secure the scene before we come in.

I know you answer police calls also in many cases. (fender benders and such).

Ususally someone calls 911 as they drive by a wreck without stopping. See someone sitting in the car and say they are trapped and can not get out. That makes it a high priority call. FD goes with PD. We find out that we are not needed and as soon as the police arrive the FD will usually leave to help keep the scene clear. Sometimes we stay such as a fuel leak or to help direct traffic for safety. Or they simply call 911 and state that they are hurt in which case FD goes to help whos hurt. Turns out nobody is hurt they just tried to get a faster response.

No one will ever take your word if you don't provide accurate details!

Any other questions that I can answer for you?