Another factor related to the smaller size of fire and police operations in Fulton County involves the nine other municipalities located within the county. The Atlanta Fire Department serves approximately 419,300 citizens, a population which swells to over one million daily. Approximately three percent of the department's personnel and expenditures support administrative services, approximately eight percent support technical services, and approximately 90 percent support f ire operations which involve field and airporf fire suppression activities. Page 4 The Fulton County Fire Department serves approximately 174,277 citizens, with operations covering approximately 397 square miles. Of the nine smaller mulnicipalties within the county, only the Cify of Palmetto contracts with Fulton County for fire services.
Palmetto is responsible for providing the fire station and equipment.
The Atlanta Department of Police Services operates approximately 56 beat patrols, not including numerous variations including walking patrols and motorized assignments and operates a fleet of approximately 300 vehicles with 2,299 personnel. Approximately 25 percent of personnel and funds for this department support the other offices under the supervision of the Chief, administrative activities, and Taxicabs and Vehicles for Hire Division. If Communications, Identificadon, and Field Operations are considered together as direct services, this department allocates approximately 90 percent of personnel, and 97 percent of funding to direct policing activities, with 3.4 percent of personnel and 4.3 percent of funding allocated f6r administration. Analysis of Consolidation Issues Calls for consolidation of the two governments, or select services of the governments continue to be voiced by public officials, local business leaders and other citizens. There is support from the leadership in both Atlanta and Fulton County for consolidation of some services.