Monday, June 27, 2011
Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services event held at Town Center Park in Suwanee.
The Five Alarm 5K was held in Suwanee for the first time Saturday by Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services, after years in Grayson. About 350 people participated in the 3.1-mile run, which started at City Hall and finished on a street behind City Hall. Cory Cown, a recent Grayson High grad, won the men's division in 18.20. Joy Mariner-Palmer of Suwanee won the women's division at 20:54. Greg Hartsfield was first in the "stroller division" at 21:39.
Man had been missing since Saturday.
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Monday, June 27, 2011
After nearly two days of searching, officials have located the body of a missing swimmer at Lake Lanier. The man was first reported missing around 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 25. Bystanders told Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services (GCFES) personnel the man had been wading in the water. The bystanders said the man could not swim and was not wearing a life jacket. The GCFES swift water and the Hall County dive team conducted an underwater search, but were unable to locate the victim Saturday evening. Sunday attempts to locate the body were also unsuccessful. Rescuers returned to the lake this morning and resumed their search. “Crews quickly found the man’s body floating on top of the water in the area that was originally thought he may …
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Underwater search for missing man unsuccessful.
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Saturday, June 25, 2011
A search for a missing swimmer has been suspended until tomorrow morning. Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services (GCFES) personnel were called to Lake Lanier shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday evening in response to a report of a missing swimmer. According to a GCFES press release, bystanders reported seeing a friend wading in the water approximately two hours earlier. The bystanders said the man could not swim and was not wearing a life jacket. Swift water personnel spotted what appeared to be a person’s body under the water. GCFES requested assistance from Hall County’s dive team due to the fact the body was out of reach of the crew. GCFES swift water and the Hall County dive team conducted an underwater search, but were unable to locate…
Thursday, June 16, 2011
GCFES responded to 124 incidents in 90-minute period.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services (GCFES) personnel stayed busy as severe weather moved into the area Wednesday evening. According to a press release from GCFES public information officer Capt. Tommy Rutledge, the department normally responds to between 200 and 250 incidents in a 24-hour period. Last night, between 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. alone, crews responded to 124 incidents. Rutledge said 911 operators were handling 535 calls per hour during the height of the storm. The calls included vehicle accidents, downed wires, possible fires from lightning strikes, trees down on houses, wood fires and alarm calls. Due to the significant activity, GCFES command staff officers were called into headquarters as the department activated its…
Monday, June 13, 2011
Cause of fire remains under investigation.
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Monday, June 13, 2011
Firefighters were called to the 500 block of Flintlock Drive earlier today in response to a report of a house fire. When crews arrived at 11:31 a.m., they found smoke and flames in the garage area of a single-story wood frame house. The homeowner was outside the residence when firefighters arrived and confirmed no one was inside the home. According to Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Capt. Thomas Rutledge, the flames spread to the bonus room above the garage and a back laundry area causing extensive damage to those areas and sending smoke and heat throughout the house. The fire was fueled by items in the garage including gas cans and a propane tank. “The homeowner (adult male) was inside the house and …
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
No injuries reported, cause of fire under investigation.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Investigators are attempting to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a Dacula home Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters were called to the 1100 block of Chapel Estates Lane after the occupant of the house heard a loud explosion. According to a press release issued by Capt. Tommy Rutledge, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services public information officer, the occupant (an adult female) and a small child were home at the time. The woman looked outside and saw the upper deck of the house engulfed in flame, Rutledge said. The woman and the child escaped unharmed. By the time firefighters arrived, the 7,000-square-foot home was well involved with fire. Firefighters were unable to enter the home and observed flames shooting from the …
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Alcovy Road in Dacula one of several county roads blocked by downed trees or power lines during the late night storm.
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Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services responded to a total of 87 incidents as severe storms moved through Gwinnett County last night. Several county roads were temporarily blocked due to downed trees or power lines, including Alcovy Road in Dacula. Other blocked roads included High Point Road in Snellville, Bethesda Church Road in Lawrenceville, Killian Hill Road in Lilburn, Rosebud Road in Grayson, Kensington High Street in Lilburn, Litchfield Road in Snellville, Blue Springs Court in Lilburn, Ridgewood Drive in Lilburn, Saddle Court in Norcross, Rockbridge Road in Norcross, Bramlett Shoals Road in Lawrenceville, Pleasantdale Road in Doraville, Norwood Drive in Lilburn, Lenora Church Road in Snellville, Johnson Drive in Snellville, …
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Gwinnett County to charge an additional $225 per trip for emergency medical transports.
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The price for an ambulance ride to the hospital just became more expensive. Today the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners increased the charge for emergency medical transports from $750 to $975. The $225 increase is effective immediately. “Engage Gwinnett recommended that we continue to evaluate the best practices in other jurisdictions,” said Gwinnett County Fire Chief Bill Myers. “It made a lot of sense to study this area of operations to find out how our emergency medical transport fees compare to the market and how they align with our actual costs. In the current economic environment, we recognize the need to do all we can, within reason, to make services like this as self-supporting as possible. This increase moves us one step …
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Harbins Road home heavily damaged in evening blaze.
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Thursday, January 20, 2011
A Wednesday evening fire that killed a family pet and heavily damaged a Harbins Road home may have been sparked by a space heater, according to investigators with Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. A passerby reported the fire just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 19. By the time firefighters arrived, the 1,200-square-foot home in the 2800 block of Harbins Road was engulfed in flames. Due to the intensity of the fire, crews were initially forced to battle the blaze from outside. Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Capt. Tommy Rutledge said crews used multiple hose lines to control the blaze and protect exposures. One dog, a family pet, was found dead inside the home. A second dog was not located. The …
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Citizens urged to stay off roads.
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Saturday, January 8, 2011
With a major winter storm expected to strike the area, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services encourages citizens to keep a close eye on the weather and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Snow and ice is expected to accumulate beginning Sunday night and continuing into Monday. The wintry mix could make travel on bridges, overpasses and secondary streets treacherous. “If you don’t have to go out, stay indoors and off the streets,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge. Freezing temperatures and hazardous weather conditions can present a variety of dangerous situations for citizens, Rutledge said. To prepare for potential winter emergencies, Gwinnett firefighters urge citizens to take the following steps: With the onset of…
Jimmy Orr
5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Our first responers in the Gwinnett County Fire Department are to be commended. It has to be tough fighting a major fire in 90+ degree weather with all of that bunker gear they wear not to mention the dehydration factor. Each time I pass Station #16 or #17 if the units are out of their bays, I offer up a prayer on their behalf and the situation they are attending to. Our first responders in … more ›