Box 1, Folder 15, Document 12

Box 1, Folder 15, Document 12

STATEMENT BY CHIEF C, H. HILDEBRAND
ATLANTA FIRE DEPARTMENT

Friday, September 16, 1966

For Release 11:00 A. M.

The City of Atlanta has in operation this morning 25 fully

manned Fire Stations.

The total personnel in the department has now risen to
357 -- 313 of these employees performing actual firefighting

duties.

Sixty-seven new recruits have been assigned to stations
for in-service training and duty under the leadership of

experienced Firemen and Fire Officers.

We are able to maintain an on-duty shift strength average
of 175 firefighting personnel because of extended work hours

of those Firemen who have remained on the job.

Our attempts to recruit new men to rebuild the Fire
Department have been extremely successful. Since Labor

Day the City Personnel Department has examined 327 applicants.
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140 of these have passed the written examination and are being

processed for in-service training and firefighting duties immediately.

The Personnel Department is making plans to conduct a
recruiting campaign throughout the Southeast and through the
employment of new personnel and the extended work hours of
our experienced personnel, we should be able to place the
remaining unmanned stations in operation within a very short

period of time.

The Personnel Office at 260 Central Avenue, S. W. is
remaining open until 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and
until noon on Saturdays to receive and process firefighters

applications.

I am requesting all the citizens of Atlanta to practice good
fire prevention measures in their homes, businesses, churches
and schools. A check-off list is being released to the news media
for self-inspection of your premises which, if conscientiously

adhered to, can prevent fires and preserve property.