By Doug Nurse / www.ajc.com
On Tuesday, the new Johns Creek Fire Department takes over from Fulton County firefighters the protection of 65,000 residents and businesses.
It's a process almost two years in the making, with launch dates pushed back time and again as organizers worked through funding needs, staffing requirements, equipment availability, and contractual obligations with Fulton County.
The latter has provided fire coverage for the city until the municipal Fire Department was ready.
The Johns Creek department plans to do things a little differently from Fulton County. Instead of responding to emergency calls with just pumper trucks, it may send rescue vehicles and pumpers, depending on the severity of the situation. Staffing will be increased for safety and effectiveness, and most of the time, paramedics will ride on each vehicle.
Employee experience ranges from two to 28 years of service. There will be 24 paramedics and 12 Georgia Search and Rescue firefighters, including three instructors.
"I was very happy with that," said Chief Joey Daniels, a former Fulton County battalion chief who served north Fulton. "We bring a lot to the table. We have a lot of experience and skills, including firefighting, medical care and technical rescue. That's good for us."
The department will have newer and more equipment. Each vehicle will have advanced life-support equipment that provides the highest level of pre-hospital emergency care. Each vehicle also has sophisticated heart monitors that can send EKG readings to the hospital so the doctor knows what to expect.
The rescue vehicles will carry special equipment for respiratory emergencies.
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