[PHOTOSTORY 3: ADITL] Macon-Bibb County Fire Station 3: Crew C

 By: Jackson McKenzie

Macon-Bibb County Fire Station 3 sits atop Napier Avenue on a quiet day in Macon, Georgia. The station was built in 2018 and is one of 22 fire stations in the county.

The stations call radio sits atop the watch duty room. Prior to 7:30 a.m. the stations crew rest asleep while one designated person serves in the watch duty room to monitor activities throughout the night should the station receive a call.

Beds line the stations dormitory room where the crew sleeps. The stations crew is 'off-duty' after 5:30 p.m. and are free to rest and relax unless the station receives a call in the middle of the night. 

Trevor Pritchett begins a routine check of Aerial 3's ladder. The first responsibility members of the station have each morning is to examine and test both their firetrucks to ensure they are adequately prepared for a call.

Trevor Pritchett raises Aerial 3's ladder high in the sky during a routine post-call check. Along with inspecting each engine first-thing in the morning, they also have to be reinspected after each call.

Trevor Pritchett attaches a nozzle to Aerial 3's water spout to ensure its functionality. Aerial 3 can hold up to 700 gallons of water at maximum capacity.

Water is released from Aerial 3's water spout. Although the speed at which water exits the truck can be controlled by which nozzle and hose is used, typically all 700 gallons of water will spray out in about 5 minutes.

Trevor Pritchett drives Aerial 3 back into the firehouse after completing its routine post-call check. Pritchett completed his first drive just last week.

Joey Green (left) and Tom Pullen complete pull-ups. Each day the members of the station are required to do group workouts as part of their morning and afternoon routine along with inspecting the firetrucks.

Tom Pullen completes reps on the firehouse's leg extension machine. The firehouse has a dedicated weight room that members of the station use during both scheduled workouts as well as downtime.

A living room area sits inside the station. The living room is used to watch instructional videos during shift hours and also serves as a hang out space after hours for the crew.

A 'Class 1 Fire Department' seal is proudly embroidered on the couches within the station. Macon-Bibb County is one of 50 counties in the nation to hold the coveted classification which is primarily based off water compacity and response times.

The equipment room houses all the equipment shared by the station's firefighters. The station has a surplus of materials that help contribute to the county's Class 1 rating which it has held for 42 years.

Within the station, an officer monitors the security cameras around the outside to detect anyone that may walk directly or drive up to the station. Walk-up's are one of the most common situations this particular station sees during an average day.

Sgt. Jason Hill talks to Macon-Bibb County's fire chief on the phone while preparing a write-up for the call that the station just completed. After every call a write-up must be done to document the situation for statistical purposes.

Capt. Ronald Chancey talks to a 911 dispatcher after the alarm sounds for a gas leak. Chancey is required as a captain to respond to gas leak reports to decide if an engine will be dispatched.

Tom Pullen debates with another station member on the phone about what sauces to buy for their upcoming lunch. Crew C in particular decides to cook every meal while other crews meal prep.

Lt. Matthew Hickey prepares sushi as lunch approaches. Hickey is the 'chef' of the station and cooks every meal the station crew eats.

Sgt. Jason Hill lays out finished rolls of sushi while assisting in lunch preparations. The stations crew typically uses lunch as a natural bridge into the second-half of the day where the station begins to repeat its morning duties.

Macon-Bibb County Fire Station 3 awaits its next call as mid-day begins. Station 3 receives about five calls a day on average.