Public Safety Archives - Page 7 of 7

Broome Named New South Fulton Fire Chief

15May

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Public Safety

Broome Named New South Fulton Fire Chief

The City of South Fulton has named a new permanent fire chief. Freddie Broome will take the reigns from interim Fire Chief Jack Butler, who has held the position since the retirement of former Fire Chief Larry Few in February. Broome has served as the fire chief in Valdosta, Ga. since March 2014. In the role, he oversaw108 staff members, six fire stations and one regional Georgia Search and Rescue Team. During his tenure he maintained a department budget over $8 million and was responsible for leading the Valdosta Fire Department to an ISO Class 1 rating. The department is currently working towards becoming an accredited agency. Broome has over two decades of experience in fire service. Prior to moving to Valdosta, Broome served in various roles with th...

South Fulton Police Department Celebrates Milestones, Growth

16Apr

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Public Safety

South Fulton Police Department Celebrates Milestones, Growth

Just over a year after its launch, the South Fulton Police Department is celebrating key milestones and significant growth in the size of its force. When the police department transitioned in late March of 2018 from Fulton County to the City of South Fulton, it was comprised of just 85 sworn officers. To date, the police force has grown by more than 50 percent. As of March 25, according to Police Chief Meadows, the department was down to its last 16 vacancies with 15 candidates scheduled to go before the hiring board. Aggressive recruiting methods have helped the department to increase its gang unit, narcotics unit and court service section. An intelligence unit has been created to analyze crime trends under the COMPSTAT methodology. And Chief Meadows has expressed that he will as...

28Feb

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Government, Public Safety

Jack Butler Named Interim Fire Chief

Following the announcement of Chief Larry Few's retirement, Jack Butler has been named Interim Fire Chief. He will officially assume the role on March 4. He previously served as the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department's Deputy Fire Chief and managed the fire safety outreach program. “We are honored and proud to have Chief Butler transition into the role of Interim Fire Chief for the City of South Fulton,” said City Manager Odie Donald II. “Chief Butler’s extensive years of experience and expertise in fire services will be a great compliment to our outstanding fire department." "He is a very talented leader with broad expertise in organizational planning, human resources and fire operations," he continued. "I’m confident that his team-building and people skills will help the city’s fire dep...

Fire Chief Few Retires after 38 Years of Service

28Feb

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Government, Public Safety

Fire Chief Few Retires after 38 Years of Service

Fire Chief Larry Few is retiring after 38 years of service. He was honored with a proclamation at the City of South Fulton's regular meeting on February 26. Chief Few joined the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department in 2018 after serving with Fulton County since 2006. “I am a blessed man to have the opportunity to serve as the Fire Chief for the City of South Fulton,” he said, addressing all in attendance as his friends. In his remarks, he announced that the city will soon take delivery of two new fire engines and a ladder truck and that he will be submitting documentation to lower the ISO rating. He also shared that the EMS response time has dropped from 30 to 11 minutes, an achievement that resulted as part of his ongoing advocacy and efforts. During the presentation of the proclam...

Five Students Face Discipline for Sharing Drug-Tainted Food

22Feb

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Health, Public Safety, Schools

Five Students Face Discipline for Sharing Drug-Tainted Food

Five Sandtown Middle School students are facing school punishment for their involvement in the February 14 incident that sent 28 students to nearby hospitals after potentially eating snacks and candy tainted with drugs. Additional students may face disciplinary consequences as the investigation continues. The school district has begun the disciplinary process by charging students for actions related to the consumption, possession and/or the distribution of illegal substances. Punishment for these behaviors may fall under “Tier IV: Serious Acts of Misconduct” of the Fulton County Schools Student Code of Conduct. “Tier IV carries the highest level of consequences for acts of misconduct considered the most serious,” said Cliff Jones, chief academic officer for Fulton County Schools. “These ac...

South Fulton Public Safety Agencies Lend Support during Super Bowl Week

3Feb

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Public Safety

South Fulton Public Safety Agencies Lend Support during Super Bowl Week

South Fulton's finest have joined more than 40 law enforcement agencies to ensure safety throughout the metro area during Super Bowl LIII weekend. “One of my primary objectives as the Mayor of the City of South Fulton is to make sure that the people who live in this city and the people who are visiting this city will be safe,” stated Mayor William "Bill" Edwards. “As a neighboring city approximately 20 minutes from the City of Atlanta, it is vital that we work together to ensure that our communities know we are well prepared to provide support and to keep activities safe.” The South Fulton Police Department has partnered with the City of Atlanta to provide tactical support from the SWAT Unit. Other personnel have been assigned to several critical areas around the Super Bowl event. South Fu...

Councilwoman Willis to Serve on NLC Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee

13Dec

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Government, Public Safety

Councilwoman Willis to Serve on NLC Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee

Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2019 Public Safety and Crime Prevention (PSCP) federal advocacy committee. The committee has the lead responsibility for developing NLC’s federal policy positions on issues involving crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness and relief, homeland security, domestic terrorism, court systems and gun control. The appointment was announced by NLC President Karen Freeman-Wilson, mayor of Gary, Ind. As a committee member, Willis will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home. "I'm honored to be appointed and given the opportunity t...

Stonewall Tell Students Talk Safety with Police and School Health Professionals

4Dec

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Cliftondale, Public Safety, Schools

Stonewall Tell Students Talk Safety with Police and School Health Professionals

Safety patrols from Stonewall Tell Elementary School received a first-hand look at what it takes to keep students safe on campuses across the district, with a recent visit with the Fulton County Schools Safety and Security Department. It was a morning of questions from fifth graders who toured the district’s Emergency Operations Center, received first aid training and observed a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drone demonstration – all to inspire them to continue on their leadership path and to encourage them to be responsible citizens. Students met with staff from FCS Police, Fire, Emergency Management and the School Health Services departments. The visit represented a unique opportunity for students to ask general safety-related questions and to participate in hands-on activiti...

South Fulton Fire Rescue Revives ‘Smoke Alarm Blitz’ in Cliftondale

4Dec

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Cliftondale, Public Safety

South Fulton Fire Rescue Revives ‘Smoke Alarm Blitz’ in Cliftondale

Last month during the Fall 2018 Smoke Alarm Blitz, South Fulton Fire Rescue visited 55 homes in the Cliftondale community to test alarms and install new ones. It was the first time the blitz had been carried out in the community in 10 years. The homes visited were selected based on their age and geographical location. Out-of-date and dead alarms were replaced with new models powered by lithium-ion batteries with a 10-year life span. The alarms were donated by Operation Save a Life, a collaborative fire safety awareness effort by multiple partners including WSB-TV, Home Depot and Kiddie. Residents also received information on exit drills in the home (E.D.I.T.H.) and holiday and cooking safety. “The residents of the neighborhood were very grateful that we came out to test their alarms and re...

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