The Peachtree City Fire Department (PCFD) began its operation in 1966 when Myron "Brother" Leach was selected as the new department's first chief and he began refurbishing second-hand fire equipment for use by a group of new volunteers.

With the help of neighboring fire departments, the volunteers began their training to become the first firefighters of Peachtree City. With the help of donations from the industry and citizens of the city, the department soon grew. They developed a "dispatch" system where Chief Leach's sister, Louise, would answer the fire emergency phone line, which also rang in her home. She would then call the volunteers by phone to dispatch them to the call. Over the years, this first dispatch system evolved into a radio system and pagers, then to a 911 dispatch system operated by Peachtree City, then to our current county-wide 911 dispatch operation located in Fayetteville.

The city's first "fire station" was actually a bay at the then-Gulf gas station (which is the current Pitts Chevron station on Highway 54). The department's first actual fire station was built in 1967, and became known and Station 1, and then Station 81. The station was later dedicated and named after Chief "Brother" Leach. It was replaced in 2001 by a much larger facility. This new Station 81 is also the training facility for the department. The property where the original Station 1 (which is next to Station 81) is being converted to a city park. The department now operates four stations, located throughout the city.

In the 1970's, the department sent members to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) schools and then on to Paramedic training. The department was the first in Georgia to have an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance operated by volunteers. They were also the first to offer telemetry, which is the ability to transmit patient EKG information via radio to the hospital for a doctor to evaluate.

The early 1980's were a time of lots of changes in the PCFD. In 1982, the city dedicated the new Station 82 to Stan Neely, one of the long-serving volunteers. Chief Leach retired, and Gerald Reed was promoted to Chief in 1983. Station 82 became the department's headquarters, as it is today. A Hazardous Materials Response Team was organized, as was a Dive/Water Rescue Team. Many career and volunteer attended training to become Haz-Mat Technicians and Rescue Divers. As technology produced new equipment for use in fire fighting and medical care, the PCFD quickly added much of it to its operations. This advancement included the Jaws-of-Life and other extrication tools, rescue boats, the most modern EKG monitoring equipment available, and new fire apparatus. The need for an aerial was addressed in 1983 with the purchase of a 75' Ladder Truck.

Also during the 1980's, many more career members were added to the department. A Training Officer and an EMS Officer were added to the department staff. Many volunteers attended EMT training to become certified EMT's. All career staff members were either EMT or Paramedic certified, with the majority being Paramedics.

In 1985, the Volunteer Fire Association agreed to sponsor a new youth group, Explorers, which is a division of the Boy Scouts of America. Post 209 has been a great success, providing many new members of the volunteer and career firefighter, EMT, and paramedic ranks, not only in the Peachtree City Fire Department, but also other departments in the area.

In 1989, Station 83 was built, and dedicated to Rev. John Weber, another long-serving volunteer Firefighter/Paramedic. The department ended the decade with the purchase of two new engines.

As Peachtree City accelerated in its growth in the 1990's, so did the fire department. In 1991, the department added a full-time Fire Marshall staff position. Station 84 was added in 1994 and was dedicated to Sallie Satterthwaite, who was a long-serving volunteer firefighter/paramedic. Also in 1994, two new Engines were purchased. A large "heavy rescue" truck was added in 1997. All types of extrication equipment are located on this vehicle. In 1998, the city council requested that the fire department achieve National Accreditation. It added an Accreditation Officer position within the department. Also, in 1998, the department purchased four thermal imager for the Engines. This provides one per font-line Engine and insures that at least two will go to each fire call.

The new decade ended on a sad note. Chief Gerald Reed was hospitalized and was on medical leave the entire year. He sadly died from his illness in December 2000. The new city park being planned for the site of the original Station 81 will be named Reed Park in honor of Chief Reed.

In 2000, the department added it's fourth Ambulance and fifth Engine. This gave the department a reserve Ambulance and Engine. The 1990's started with only four career firefighters on duty per shift. By the end of 2000, there were 12 firefighters per shift.

The year 2001 started out with a new Fire Chief. Stony Lohr was promoted in January 2001 to Fire Chief.  In October 2001, the PCFD had it largest promotion of personnel.   The staff increased by 1 Training Lieutenant and 1 EMS Lieutenant.  Nine career and one volunteer firefighters were promoted to the position of Sergeant.  These promotions followed years of training and extensive certification.  All personnel were required to pass an extensive assessment center to receive their promotions.

In 2002 the Department received Tower 8, it is a 105’ Aerial Tower.  This replaced Ladder 8, which was sold to a volunteer department in Kentucky.  The new Tower greatly increased the capabilities of the Department in response to the many industrial and commercial areas of the city.  With the increase in multi-family housing over the past decade, a larger and more capable aerial device was needed.

In 2003 a MCI (Mass Causality Incident) trailer was bought and stocked with EMS supplies.  This includes backboards, oxygen, bandages, splints, and miscellaneous medical supplies.  The trailer is ready for use in case of a mass causality incident throughout the city or county.  A Technical Rescue Trailer was also purchased and equipped over the course of 12 months using “grant” money from the state and federal governments.  Equipment for confined space rescue and various types of rope rescue was purchased. 

Also in 2003 it was decided to put the fourth ambulance in limited front line service.  If the 2-man crew at Station 84 is in quarters, and there is an EMS call, they will respond with Medic 84.  Also during 2003 the Department constructed a “roof simulator” at the training center using on duty crews.  This saved the city money and increased our training opportunities for aerial operations.

In 2004 the Dive Rescue Truck was replaced with a new Squad truck.  Now all the dive and water rescue equipment can be carried on one vehicle.  The boats can also be towed to the scene by the new vehicle.

During the first part of 2004 a “Quint” was purchased.  The Quint replaced an engine at Station 83 in the southern part of Peachtree City.  Quint 83 is a 65’ ladder truck equipped with all the required equipment for ladder operations and fire suppression.  Basically, a Quint is a two for one vehicle; it can conduct aerial operations and fire suppression operations.

In 2005 there was a complete remodel of Station 82 living facilities, command and administrative offices.  An upstairs was added to the living quarters, which included two bathrooms and sleeping cubicles for 7 personnel.  The shift commanders office and living quarters were also added.  Walls were knocked down which greatly expanded the day room for the crews.  A separate area was added for citizens stopping by for “blood pressure checks.”  The Fire Marshal’s office was greatly increased by taking over the “old” training room.  A large storage area was also built into the old training room, this is used to store uniforms and bunker gear not issued to the firefighters.  Knocking down a wall expanded Asst. Chief Eiswerth’s office.  Operations Division now has a meeting room where the shift officers can meet with the Asst. Chief.   A lot of the work to expand the capabilities of the office space was done by “self help” projects.  

Also in 2005 a replacement for Engine 84 was purchased. A rescue/pumper was purchased from Central State Inc. It arrived in January of 2006. Another rescue/pumper was purchased to replace Engine 82 during 2006. It is scheduled to arrive April 2007.  In the fall of 2007, the Department plans on requesting bids to replace Rescue 8 and Engine 81 during FY2008.  This will put the apparatus on a replacement cycle.

During the summer of 2006 a pump testing facility, extrication pad, and confined space area was added to the training center located at Station 81.  Station 83 will get a complete remodel including an increase in sleeping quarters. At present there is only room for only 3 firefighters.  The station will have sleeping quarters for 7 firefighters by the end of 2007.  This will help since many volunteers now spend time at the station.  

Assistant Chief Ed Eiswerth was promoted to Fire Chief in July of 2007. A promotional exam is tentatively scheduled for January 2008 to fill existing and future positions within the department.

The Peachtree City Fire Department has grown by volumes since the days when Brother Leach was first forming the department. But, the goal has never changed: to protect and aid the citizens of Peachtree City.