3121 Norman Berry Drive
STATION 2 3171 Norman Berry Drive Engine 2, Rescue 2, Battalion Chief
STATION 3: 3800 North Commerce Drive Engine 3
STATION 4: 2222 Ben Hill Road Engine 4, Ladder 1, Rescue 4 STATION 5: 3949 Washington Road *Under Renovation
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF
by Fire Chief Corey Thornton
Dear Residents, Supporters, and Stakeholders,
As we move through the heart of summer, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude not just for the privilege of serving this great city, but for the trust and support you continue to show the East Point Fire Department.
Every emergency call we answer, every fire safety presentation we deliver, and every life we touch is rooted in our commitment to serve this community with excellence and compassion. Your encouragement fuels our efforts and reminds us that our mission matters.
This month, we ’ re proud to highlight a new local partnership that will expand our ability to serve. From collaborating with local nonprofits on home safety improvements to working with area schools on youth preparedness programs, we ’ re building bridges that make our entire city stronger and safer.
As always, we welcome your involvement—whether it’s visiting a fire station, attending a community event, or simply checking your smoke alarms at home. Together, we are building a more resilient East Point, one act of service at a time.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
With gratitude,
Chief Corey Thornton
These updates reflect our ongoing commitment to strengthening our fire department and ensuring the highest level of service for our community. As we move forward, we will continue seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations, expand our outreach, and uphold the safety and well-being of East Point residents.
East Point Fire Lieutenant Gerrell Lilly was honored with the Firefighter of the Year Award by the Atlanta Airport Rotary.
East Point Firefighters Stacey Foster and Shaquille Weaver have successfully obtained their EMT- Advanced certification.
We have responded to over 7,000 calls so far this year, averaging 28.4 calls per day which is 2% increase compared to last year. We are on track to once again break 10,000 calls by the end of this year.
Operations personnel completed 1,173 hours of company and facility training – a major investment in overall readiness and skill development.
18 firefighters are advancing through EMT school and clinical rotations at various medical sites in metro Atlanta, strengthening the department’s EMS capabilities.
Fire Prevention reviewed 50 construction and safety plans and conducted 12 Certificate of Occupancy inspections.
Applications have closed and we have started our hiring process for our next group of Fire Recruits, with an expected start date of September 2025.
January-August2025
Data is more than just numbers it’s a reflection of our service, our community needs, and our commitment to continuous improvement. By tracking key metrics each month, we’re able to make informed decisions about staffing, training, equipment, and public outreach.
These numbers help us identify trends, improve response times, and ensure we are allocating resources where they’re needed most. Below is a snapshot of our Operations Division activity from January through June 2025, illustrating both the volume and impact of our work.
Emergency Response Tota ls:
Tota l Fire Ca lls: 1,192
Tota l EMS Ca lls: 4,427
Combined Ca lls for Ser v ice: 5,619
Monthly Averages:
Average Fire Calls/ Month: 182
Average EMS Calls/ Month: 670
Average Total Calls/ Month: 852
CelebratingExcellence:
Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Gerrell Lilly, who was recently honored with the FirefighteroftheYearAwardbytheAtlantaAirportRotary.Thisprestigiousrecognitionreflects Lt.Lilly’sleadershipandcommitmenttothefireserviceandthecommunityheserves.
AnUnconventionalJourneyIntotheFireService
Lt Lilly’spathwasn’tpavedwithcertaintyortradition Afterplayingcollegefootball,hestoodat acrossroads,unsureofwherelifewouldtakehimnext.Itwasasimpleconversationatalocal gym that shifted everything. That moment became a turning point one that launched a career rooted in service, discipline, and purpose. “Community played a pivotal role in my journey,”Lt.Lillyshared.“Sixteenyearslater,I’mhere—andIcouldn’tbehappier.”
FuelingaFiretoServe
Eachday,Lt.Lillyentersthefirehousewithaclearmission:toservewithintegrityandhonor.He draws motivation from his parents, son, family, and close friends those who inspire him to show up and give his best. His personal drive goes beyond job titles and awards; it’s about livinguptoahighercallingandmakingthosewhobelieveinhimproud.
Withover16yearsofservice,Lt Lillyhasgrownfromanewrecruitintoarespectedleaderwithin ourdepartment.He’sfacedfires,emergencies,andcomplexrescuecallswithgritandcourage. More importantly, he has mentored newer firefighters, modeling what it means to lead by example.
We are proud to celebrate this achievement and look forward to the many ways Lt. Lilly will continuetoupliftandinspirethosearoundhim
TheEastPointPublicSafetyFoundation:
With the backing of committed residents, the East Point Fire and East Point Police Departments have taken a transformative step by establishing the East Point Public Safety Foundation. This newnonprofitorganizationrepresentsaunifiedcommitmenttoenhancepublicsafety,deepen communityconnections,andsupportthewell-beingofthecity’sfirstresponders.
AUnifiedApproachtoPublicSafety
TheEastPointPublicSafetyFoundationistheresultofagroundbreakingcollaborationbetween twoessentialcitydepartments.Recognizingtheirsharedmission,theFireandPolice departmentshavecometogetherunderonebannerto:
1.Launchjointpubliceducationcampaignsonfirepreventionandcrimeawareness.
2.Hostcommunityevents,youthengagementprograms,andsafety-focusedworkshops.
3Raisefundstosupportadvancedtraining,modernequipment,officerwellness,and proactivecommunitypolicing.
Thisunifiedfrontnotonlyreflectsbothdepartments’ongoingcommitmenttoprofessionalism andpublictrust,butalsoleveragestheirstrengthstocreatemoremeaningfulcommunity impact.
BuildingonaStrongFoundation
EastPointalreadybenefitsfromawell-establishedpublicsafetyinfrastructure.Theformationof the Foundation expands on that strength by creating new pathways for community engagementandsupport.Withinputfromresidentsandleadershipfrombothdepartments,the Foundationwillhelpbuildasafer,moreconnectedEastPoint.
If you represent a local business, service organization, or private foundation interested in supportingthemission,theEastPointPublicSafetyFoundationisreadytowelcomeyou!
TheEastPointPublicSafetyFoundation: Leadership,Partnerships,andPossibilities
MeetthePresident:MichaelStCroix
Leading the East Point Public Safety Foundation is President Michael StCroix, a Minnesota native who has proudly called East Point home since 2019. Known for his deep roots in community service, Michael currently serves on the East Point Board of Ethics and as Vice President of his neighborhood association. His past volunteer work with the East Point Main StreetAssociationandhisgraduationfromtheCitizensPoliceAcademyhighlighthisstrong commitmenttopublicsafety,civicengagement,andneighborhoodempowerment.
Michael brings passion, leadership, and a collaborative spirit to the Foundation, working to build stronger partnerships between first responders and the community. He invites others who care deeply about East Point’s future to get involved. If you’re committed to making a difference and supporting those who serve, consider joining the Foundation’s Board or volunteering your time to help us grow. Together, we can create a safer, more connected EastPoint
TheEastPointFireDepartmentcontinuestostrengthenitspartnershipwithlocalbusinesses through dedicated Fire Safety and CPR training programs. These efforts not only equip employees with the skills to respond effectively during emergencies but also foster a safer work environment for staff and customers alike. By investing in preparedness, local businesses are building confidence, resilience, and community trust while reducing risks in theworkplace.
The value of these trainings extends well beyond the walls of any single business. Every person trained in CPR or fire safety becomes a vital link in our city’s chain of emergency readiness. Together, we are creating a community where knowledge, quick action, and preparedness can save lives The East Point Fire Department is proud to lead these efforts andremainscommittedtoensuringthatbusinessesandresidentsalikehavethetoolsthey needtostaysafeandstrong.
