The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) has acquired two new Rivian R1T trucks to provide the first-ever electric vehicles to serve as AFRD quick response units throughout the City of Atlanta.
The collaboration with Rivian bolsters Fleet Forward, AFRF’s innovation and sustainability capital campaign launched earlier this year, and will initially place the two Rivian R1T vehicles in operation as a part of AFRD’s growing and more sustainable fleet.
The vehicles are currently in the process of being upfitted and are expected to be operational later this Fall.
“Providing the first electric vehicles to support the delivery of emergency medical services to city residents is a reflection of our Foundation’s commitment to elevating Atlanta’s fire and emergency response ecosystem,” said Taos Wynn, President and CEO, Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, in a media statement. “Teaming up with Rivian as a part of our Foundation’s Fleet Forward campaign presents both an exciting and sustainable opportunity for our city’s first responders that demonstrates innovative possibilities in direct alignment with Atlanta’s climate and clean energy goals.”
“Rivian vehicles are designed to excel in the most demanding conditions, and we are excited to see Atlanta putting them to work in the critically important quick response role,” said Rivian Vice President of Sales Gary Gaines in the statement. “We applaud the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation’s Fleet Forward initiative and look forward to continuing to work alongside the Foundation in pursuit of these important sustainability goals.”
“The City of Atlanta has long understood that the nation’s climate crisis would require actions on our part. This is why we are taking the innovative step of working with Rivian through the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation to add two Rivian R1T vehicles to our EMS fleet, which will help us in lowering our city’s overall carbon footprint,” said Mayor Andre Dickens in the statement. “As a city, we have been taking an aggressive approach to electric vehicle adoption, and this is one step in a series of steps we are continuing to take.”
“As Fire Chief for AFRD, I’m proud to lead a department that embraces innovation and sustainability,” said Roderick M. Smith, AFRD Fire Chief, in the media statement. “The partnership with Rivian and the deployment of these cutting-edge EV quick response units mark a significant step forward in our mission to deliver efficient and effective emergency medical services to the people of Atlanta. By integrating advanced technology with our operations, we’re not only enhancing our fleet but also contributing to a cleaner, greener future for our city.”