Buckhead Rotary recently announced the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation as its new three-year signature project, pledging $75,000 over the three years to help restore the five Atlanta Fire Rescue Department stations in Buckhead (Nos. 3, 21, 26, 27 and 29). This initiative was selected by Club President Greg Davis,

The new signature project will be chaired by Club Past President Elizabeth Gill, who courageously spoke at the July 15 meeting, telling of the loss of her daughter to injuries sustained in a Buckhead condo fire three years ago. Gill said this project is important to her to honor the brave firefighters who got her daughter out of the building (though she later died). “Imagine running into a burning building with a 75-pound pack on your back, up two flights of steps and carrying a person’s body on your shoulders. These men are truly heroes,” Gill said.

After hearing the Buckhead fire stations needed some upgrading, Greg Davis and Elizabeth Gill toured them and decided that should be the focus of the Club’s efforts. Gill referred to the condition of the fire stations as “abysmal.” Buckhead Rotary’s tradition is to not only write checks, but to provide volunteer support to an organization as well. They are hoping to mobilize others in the Buckhead community to join the effort to help restore the stations where firefighters live 24/7 for three days of the week.

A check for $25,000 – the first of three annual checks—was presented at the meeting to Shirley Anne Smith, the foundation’s executive director, and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s Buckhead Battalion Chief Michelle Middlebrooks.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) was formed 15 years ago by local, concerned citizens to provide firefighters and EMTs with support beyond what the city resources are able to do, such essential equipment, training and community engagement.