This is a weekly feature of our For the Record newsletter, filled with the latest reporting from Canopy Atlanta and Atlanta Documenters, which trains and pays residents to take notes on undercovered local government meetings. Sign up to find this in your inbox every week.
🗣️ QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“If we can put four on the truck, we can prevent a funeral. If we don’t, we might be asking you for six so we can lower the casket into the ground.”
A debate is underway over whether the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department is falling behind national standards.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, every fire truck should be staffed with four personnel per shift. A new city council resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Michael Julian Bond, would make this standard mandatory in Atlanta, potentially requiring the City to expand its budget and hire more firefighters.
Fire Chief Roderick M. Smith spoke out against the proposal, saying department leadership was not consulted before the legislation was introduced. “This is a political ploy to take over the operations of the department,” Smith said. “And this would undermine our ability to manage those resources.”
Smith reported that AFRD has filled about 85 percent of its staffing needs and expects to reach 90 percent in the coming months. He emphasized that, after 32 years of service, he does not take the safety of residents or firefighters for granted. “I would appreciate if you could sit down and talk to me, and I could tell you what I need versus you having to hear it from the union,” he said. “Everything is not true.”
Earlier this month, the Atlanta Professional Fire Fighters union called on residents via Facebook to “call the mayor’s office and demand safe staffing.” Nate Bailey, president of IAFF Local 134 and president of Professional Fire Fighters of Georgia, urged councilmembers to approve the resolution. “If we put four on the truck, we can prevent a funeral. If we don’t, we might be asking you for six so we can lower the casket into the ground,” Bailey said. “All we’re asking for is to give us the best chance to not die.”
APFF called on residents via a Facebook post to contact the mayor’s office regarding staffing levels.
Smith noted that AFRD responds to roughly 100,000 calls each year but that fewer than one percent are fire-related. Most calls involve car crashes or other medical emergencies. “While the National Fire Protection Association recommends four firefighters per engine or truck company, this is not a mandate—and allows flexibility based on the demographics and operational needs of the community being served,” Atlanta Fire Rescue told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to support the resolution, which now moves to the full council for consideration.
(Documented by Karis Buggs; additional reporting by Ada Wood)
🔎 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
🫥 DeKalb County Board of Registration & Elections
Voter Registration & Elections Executive Director Keisha Smith noted high turnover for poll managers since last year, though she didn’t cite a reason. The department is currently training new poll workers to fill the gaps.
Also discussed at this meeting: Boardmember Gail Lee presented an amendment to the agenda discussing the process for removing convicted felons from voter rolls. The amendment failed to reach a consensus. The board will discuss adding it to next month’s agenda.
👩🏽💻 Documenter’s note: This agenda was not available until the day before the meeting. The Georgia Open Meetings Act calls for public meeting agendas to be posted as far in advance as possible. (Documented by Sirrus Darr)
🅿️ Atlanta City Council Zoning
The committee held an amendment clarifying that all residential dwellings must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom. This would increase parking requirements and limit housing density.
Also discussed at this meeting:
• The council referred an accessibility ordinance requiring push-button pedestrian entrances in new developments to the Zoning Review Board for further consideration.
• Katie McClure, vice president of the Metro Short-Term Rental Alliance, opposed short-term rental bans, arguing they drive rentals underground and make enforcement more difficult.
• Helen Delilia Williams described overgrown and neglected lots throughout Vine City, citing heavy vegetation, illegal dumping, and vacant properties. Williams urged stronger code enforcement and accountability for absentee developers.
👩🏽💻 Documenter’s Note: This meeting lasted less than 15 minutes. (Documented by Jessica Dudley)
🚰 Atlanta City Council Utilities
The Council approved $6.25 million to support the Atlanta Drinking Water Renewal and Replacement Project. Over the next 20 years, the City will need to repair and replace hundreds of miles of pipes and other infrastructure in the drinking water system.
Also discussed at this meeting:
• The council allocated $7.5 million to upgrade and repair stormwater infrastructure across Atlanta. The Annual Storm Water Infrastructure Project aims to eliminate harmful substances, reduce pollutants, and mitigate flooding in the Chattahoochee and Ocmulgee River Basins. Heavy rainfall increases the risk of flooding and water quality deterioration, and stormwater runoff can contribute to stream erosion and more frequent street flooding. To address these challenges, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is exploring the creation of a stormwater utility and plans to present a proposal to the council in the near future.
• DPW Commissioner Cyril Turner said the department is focused on minimizing illegal dumping through increased citations and cleanup efforts. He said “Operation Clean Sweep” collected 2,262 tons of litter between April and June. Additionally, the Keeping Atlanta Beautiful Commission has removed eight tons of waste and cleaned 33 miles of land so far this year.
• Community member Helen D. Williams raised concerns about rising Georgia Power bills. She also highlighted a watershed issue on Vine and Magnolia streets, urging the Water Department to address a growing leak in the area. (Documented by Emily Hamilton)
💧 GUIDE OUR REPORTING
When the Creeks Rise—a journalism project on flooding in Atlanta—is powered by community members: Partnership for Southern Equity’s Development Watchers and our Documenters work together to monitor planning and zoning meetings and report on policy decisions that impact local flooding.
Help us cover what matters most. Click the button below to take our survey and guide our reporting.
🗳️ CITY OF ATLANTA MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATES
Early voting
📅 October 14 through October 31
Deadline to submit an absentee ballot application
📅 October 24
Election Day
📅 November 4
Runoff election
📅 December 2
Editor: Heather Buckner
Contributors: Ada Wood and J.P. Irie
Fact Checker: J.P. Irie
I hope this story leaves you inspired by the power of community-focused journalism. Here at Canopy Atlanta, we're driven by a unique mission: to uncover and amplify the voices and stories that often go unheard in traditional newsrooms.
Our nonprofit model allows us to prioritize meaningful journalism that truly serves the needs of our community. We're dedicated to providing you with insightful, thought-provoking stories that shed light on the issues and stories that matter most to neighborhoods across Atlanta.
By supporting our newsroom, you're not just supporting journalism – you're investing in Atlanta. Small and large donations enable us to continue our vital work of uncovering stories in underrepresented communities, stories that deserve to be told and heard.
From Bankhead to South DeKalb to Norcross, I believe in the power of our journalism and the impact it can have on our city.
If you can, please consider supporting us with a small gift today. Your support is vital to continuing our mission.
Floyd Hall, co-founder
