ATLANTA — Firefighters across metro Atlanta say that fighting fires and responding to emergencies today is much different than it was 25 years ago.
Channel 2’s Jorge Estevez spoke with Atlanta Fire Rescue officials about the lessons they learned on 9/11 and how it changed the ways they keep you safe.
“We are better because we have learned from the mistakes of 9/11,” said Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief Roderick Smith.
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Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, Atlanta Fire has established a digital network worth $19 million, which allows for stronger signals ideal for high-rises.
“Those shielded areas that we typically would have trouble communicating, we now are able to communicate,” Smith said.
He says they have also established a tighter system to help control the operation and tackle the fire more quickly.
Smith added that they have changed how they deliver water from floor to floor in high-rises, which is especially important given the number of tall buildings across the city.
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“Ensuring that the systems are engineered properly to carry the amount of water the distance we need to carry it,” Smith said.
Firefighters also carry “high-rise” kits with the specific tools to fight all kinds of fires “in order to make our way through the hallways and do the job that we do,” Smith said.
Smith told Estevez that above all, the biggest lesson learned from 9/11 is the ability to accept change in the way they do things and making improvements to save more lives.
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