An employee of the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation forestry team was killed this morning by a falling tree. Donald Rembert, who had been with the city for 29 years and was a few months away from retirement, was knocked from a cherry picker as he cut down a large tree limb. The incident occurred on Springlake Drive off Collier Road.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Donald Rembert,” Mayor Kasim Reed said in a statement to the media. “Donald served the City of Atlanta for 29 years, and worked most recently with the forestry team in the Department of Parks and Recreation. His loss is made more tragic with the knowledge that he was only a few months away from retirement. In his nearly three decades of work for the City, Donald was a caring friend and a valued coworker. He loved being and working outdoors. He leaves behind an extended family, two children and a brother who serves the City of Atlanta in the Department of Public Works. His son has also worked with the Department of Parks and Recreation as a seasonal employee. His family’s deep commitment to public service is admirable.”
Reed also said the city would conduct an investigation to determine exactly what happened. “I have directed the members of my cabinet to conduct trainings over the next several weeks in order to remind all staff of safety protocols for their department and work duties,” Reed said.
