05/31/2026
It was Saturday night. After a busy week at work and a fire department conference that morning in Union City, I was looking forward to an early bedtime. I had just gotten into bed and dozed off when I was jolted awake by the tones of the pager on my bedside.
“Attention South Fulton Firemen—Structure Fire.”
As the dispatcher continued giving details, I quickly dressed and headed out to my pickup.
As I started the engine, I heard the first South Fulton firefighter advise dispatch they were enroute to the station. I backed out of my driveway and started toward the address, pulling up the map to locate nearby hydrants and check the proximity of other structures.
As I continued into town, I heard the Fire Chief advise he was enroute to the scene. The radio crackled again—another firefighter responding, then another, and another.
Just as I was entering town, our primary engine advised they were leaving the station with three firefighters. Seconds later, the Chief arrived on scene and began directing incoming units, including neighboring departments, on approach routes and hydrant locations.
I pulled up behind the engine and began putting on my gear. As I did, I watched the bravest men and women I know move quickly and with purpose, carrying out their assignments. Dressed in turnout gear, tools in hand, they were ready—fully prepared to face whatever came—for their community.
As I walked up to the Chief for orders, I was told it was an overloaded extension cord and the fire was already out. That was welcome news.
Standing there, watching our crew pack up and prepare to clear the scene, it hit me.
Tonight, on this call, we had a nurse, an IT specialist, a forklift operator, a fire extinguisher technician, a network engineer, and a professional Fire Chief. On another night, it could be a restaurant worker, a funeral home employee, a laborer, a truck driver, a factory worker, a paramedic—or countless other professions represented within our department.
While our backgrounds are diverse, what we share is far more important: a deep commitment to our community, a willingness to serve our neighbors, and the courage to put ourselves in harm’s way when others need us most.
I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the South Fulton Fire Department, and I am honored to serve beside these heroes.
John McMahan; Assistant Chief
South Fulton Fire Department
