The Deputy Chief of Operations is responsible for managing the fire stations and firefighters. The Operations Section is the workforce for the Fire Department. The Fire Battalion responds to emergency and non-emergency fire calls and emergency medical calls. Firefighters also perform many other vital functions with a high level of skill.

Battalion Shifts
The Fire Battalion operates three shifts working twenty-four (24) hour shifts with two days off. The Fire Battalion consists of four stations with four engines, one ladder truck, two ALS/BLS rescues and the Battalion Chief.

Crew Members
At present there are twenty three (23) firefighters assigned to each shift with a minimum staffing of sixteen (16), which allows three firefighters per apparatus and one Battalion Chief. Due to personnel shortage the two (2) rescue vehicles are out of service and are only in service when staffing permits.

Emergency Medical Service
Engines staffed with Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians respond to Emergency Medical Service calls. This year the Fire Battalion responded to 4,611 Emergency Medical Service calls and 1,570 fire calls with a total 6,181 calls as of June 30, 2005.

Community Participation
Firefighters on shift also instruct fire safety classes to community groups and to schools using the Fire Safety House, conducting station tours, and special community events. Firefighters also install free smoke detectors for citizens due to a grant program. They provide blood pressure checks at fire stations, and safety talks at neighborhood association meetings when requested.

Fire and EMS Training
Training is performed each month to maintain skills and Georgia State certification. The Officer in Charge of each station provides training from training materials and books, and lesson plans are exchanged between shifts. Additional duties include station cleaning, apparatus cleaning, equipment maintenance checks and lawn maintenance.