Atlanta Fire Department Receives 2 Electric Emergency Medical Response Vehicles

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department has received two electric trucks that will be used as emergency medical service vehicles.

The Rivian R1T trucks are equipped with the right equipment and will begin operating this fall, according to the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, a nonprofit organization for firefighters. The new equipment is part of the foundation’s Fleet Forward initiative, which is seeking $3 million to integrate electric vehicles into the department’s fleet, including an electric fire truck.

“The partnership with Rivian and the deployment of these cutting-edge electric vehicle rapid response units marks a significant advancement in our mission to provide effective and efficient emergency medical services to the people of Atlanta,” said Roderick Mr. Smith, fire chief of the foundation. said. “By integrating cutting-edge technology into our operations, we are not only improving our fleet, but we are also contributing to a cleaner, greener future for our city. »

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called the new vehicles an “innovative measure” in the fight against climate change.

“As a city, we have taken an aggressive approach to electric vehicle adoption, and this is one step in a series of steps we continue to take,” he said.

The foundation claims that electric vehicles are not only climate-friendly, but also cost-effective, requiring on average 50% less maintenance and foregoing expensive diesel gasoline.

Last November, the Atlanta City Council allocated more than $18 million to purchase new equipment for the fire department. Three fire stations had temporarily closed their doors due to a lack of fire trucks and firefighters.

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