Atlanta Fire Department Receives Two Rivian EV Rapid Response Units

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation (AFRF) has acquired two new Rivian R1T trucks to provide the first-ever electric vehicles to serve as AFRD rapid response units throughout the city of Atlanta.

The collaboration with Rivian strengthens Fleet Forward, the AFRF’s innovation and sustainability fundraising campaign launched earlier this year, and will initially put the two Rivian R1T vehicles into service within the growing and more sustainable AFRD fleet.

The vehicles are currently being upgraded 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 the city’s fire and emergency response ecosystem. Atlanta,” said Taos Wynn, president and CEO of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, in a press release. statement. “Teaming with Rivian as part of our Foundation’s Fleet Forward campaign presents an exciting and lasting opportunity for our city’s first responders, one that demonstrates innovative possibilities in direct alignment with Atlanta’s goals for climate and clean energy. »

“Rivian vehicles are designed to excel in the most demanding conditions, and we are excited to see Atlanta put them to work in a critical rapid response role,” said Gary Gaines, Rivian vice president of sales, in the communicated. “We welcome 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 climate crisis facing the country will require action on our part. “That’s why we’re 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 reduce our city’s overall carbon footprint,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in the release. . “As a city, we have taken an aggressive approach to electric vehicle adoption, and this is one step in a series of actions we continue to take. »

“As AFRD Fire Chief, I am proud to lead a department that embraces innovation and sustainability,” said Roderick M. Smith, AFRD Fire Chief, in the press release. “The partnership with Rivian and the deployment of these state-of-the-art electric vehicle rapid response units marks an important milestone in our mission to provide effective and efficient emergency medical services to the people of Atlanta. By integrating cutting-edge technology into our operations, we not only improve our fleet, but also contribute to a cleaner, greener future for our city.