City of Decatur Fire Rescue

10/09/2026

Dalmatians and Firefighters… a historical bond that can never be broken! Assistant Chief Violante received a few smooches from Griswold the Dalmatian, on his way to a hard’s day work of playing! He said something about his great, great, great, great uncle on his mom’s side was a firehouse dog! Small world, big responsibilities! We look forward to seeing you and your human again, Griswold!

10/07/2026

Shoutout to B-shift for helping start Smokey’s story and seeing it through to a beautiful ending. After being trapped in an engine compartment for two days, this sweet kitten was finally freed thanks to a little encouragement and one inspector’s tiny hands.
Thank you to the community member for coming by and trusting us with such a delicate problem, as cats tend to hide in these places when the weather gets cold!

With it being late in the day, Smokey was brought to DeKalb County Animal Services by Decatur Fire personnel. And the best part? Almost immediately, he found his forever family with these two amazing humans! Love at first sight!
We’re proud to serve our community in every way we can—and grateful this call had the happiest ending.

Remember, there’s many more furry friends waiting for their story to begin at your local shelter, consider adopting!

10/02/2026

Last weekend, The Guide Dog Foundation gave A-shift a visit! It is great training for the future four-legged helpers so they can familiarize themselves with emergency personnel and equipment! Also, we like to pet dogs, and rock them like babies. What an amazing team that surely deserves a round of a-paws!

09/24/2026

Elected by his peers… Congratulations Jones on being named our 2025 Firefighter of the Year!

Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your humor, your friendship, your expertise, and your willingness to always step up. Most of all, thank you for being the kind of person who makes everyone around you—and the organization you serve—better. As a whole, you are irreplaceable.

You are truly deserving of this honor, and we are incredibly grateful and proud to call you one of our own. We rise by lifting others; so let us do the lifting (or maybe just Inspector Jackman, apparently) of you for once!

Congratulations, FAO Jones. We appreciate you more than words can say! What a man!

09/16/2026

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! Did you know 13% of career firefighters in the United States identify as Hispanic or Latino? Representation is an important part of public safety! Thank you for building bridges, breaking barriers, and sharing your cultures. The fire service, and the country, would not be the same without it. An honorable mention: 2/3 of these firefighters are amazing chefs for their shift often including foods from their cultures. 1/3 of these firefighters burnt hotdogs in the microwave. We still appreciate them all!

09/11/2026

On the 25th anniversary of the tragedies of September 11, 2001, our firefighters gathered to honor and remember the lives forever changed that day.
We remember the innocent civilians who lost their lives, the firefighters and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and the countless first, second, and third responders who ran toward danger. We also remember those who continue to carry the physical and emotional scars of that day.
From climbing Stone Mountain to represent the stairs that firefighters relentlessly climbed that day in their efforts to rescue others, to paying our respects during a remembrance ceremony, we honor their sacrifice and courage. Today and always, we will never forget.

Congratulations to Captain Kelvonte Byrd on receiving the Decatur High School 9/11 Remembrance Award. This award is bestowed upon public servants who embody the courage, compassion, and dedication demonstrated by the responders of September 11, 2001.

Captain Byrd is an integral part of our department and our community, and we are incredibly grateful and proud to have him serving alongside us.

To quote another great fireman, Captain Jeremy Storey:

“We are walking in the shadows of giants, resting in the shade of trees we did not plant, and enjoying a reputation that we did not earn. So we must continue in the greatness that has been placed in front of us.”
May we always honor those who came before us by continuing to serve with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to others.

09/05/2026

🇺🇸 Labor Day Weekend is here! 🇺🇸
Whether you’re grilling, traveling, swimming, adventuring, or kicking back with family and friends, let’s keep the weekend fun, safe, and fire-free! 😎

🔥 Grill the food—not the house!
Keep grills away from homes and anything flammable, check propane for leaks, clean off that grease, and never leave the grill unattended. Your burgers can wait…your house shouldn’t have to! 🍔🏠

☀️ Don’t let the heat crash the party.
Drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade or A/C, and save the heavy-duty activities for cooler parts of the day.

🎆 Leave the big BOOMS to the pros!
If fireworks are part of your celebration, follow local laws, keep water nearby, and keep a close eye on children and pets.

🚗 Heading out? Arrive alive!
Buckle up every trip, stay focused behind the wheel, obey speed limits, and never drive impaired or distracted. Give yourself extra time—being late is better than being a statistic. Check tires, fuel, and your route before hitting the road, and take breaks on long trips.

👀 Keep an eye on the kiddos!
Children should always be supervised around grills, pools and other water activities, roadways, fireworks, and after-dark festivities. Little legs move FAST!

🌊🚗✈️🚆 Be safe wherever the weekend takes you—on land, water, in the car, plane, train, or wherever your adventure leads!

Have fun, make memories, and come home safe! ❤️💙🤍

Happy Labor Day Weekend from City of Decatur Fire Rescue!! 🚒♥️🇺🇸

08/27/2026

Join FAO Jones during his morning check-offs of the Engine! Every morning, the oncoming crew receives a debrief of the day before from the departing shift. After, a thorough check of the truck and its equipment begin! This is repeated everyday without fail, to ensure all is in working, good condition. Fire Apparatus Operators, like Jones, carrying one of the most detailed and responsible jobs here at Decatur Fire Rescue. Thanks for bringing us along FAO Jones! 🚒💪🏾 Same time next shift? 🤗 Interested in working with Decatur Fire? Apply today at decaturga.com/jobs ! See you there! 📥🤞

08/05/2026

06/30/2026

Having another amazing day out at Decatur WatchFest ‘26, keeping the community members and visitors safe and informed!
We’re having fun doing it, too!

Decatur WatchFest26 will be at the square everyday until July 19th! Come out and see us and enjoy the festivities. ⚽️🥅🕺🏽💃🏻

Reminder to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and take breaks when needed! 🚰🧊

Who had better Dance moves?