(December 30, 2011) The GCPD Accident Investigation Unit (AIU) is responsible for investigating all of the fatal or life-threatening motor vehicle accidents that occur in Gwinnett County.  This unit is also responsible for conducting the follow-up investigation of hit-and-run accidents.  These investigations often require reconstructing the crash scene to scale and in some cases, producing a three dimensional animation of the events involved in the crash.

In the past, these types of accident scenes took up to three hours to investigate.  Lane closures, or total road closures are often required during that time.  Using the old system, small accident scenes usually required a minimum of eight officers to properly survey.  Larger scenes could require up to twenty.  The old system also required investigators to mark a scene, and return some time later to take precise measurements, requiring the road to be closed a second time.

The Accident Investigation Unit recently switched to a new GPS surveying system in an effort to reduce the time roads are closed, and to reduce the number of officers required at the scene.  These, in turn, lead to less inconvenience for drivers.  The new GPS system can be operated by a single officer and takes about 1/3 of the time.  Complete measurement of an accident scene can now be completed during the initial investigation, and the roads do not need to be closed a second time for further measurement.  The portability of the unit, and the ability for a single officer to operate it, allows investigators to take measurements during normal traffic cycles (for example, during red lights).

This new system has worked out very well.  Road closure time has been significantly reduced, resulting in smoother commutes.  The manpower required at major accident scenes has also been significantly reduced.  The time and labor saved by this new equipment has already surpassed its original purchase price.  The Gwinnett County Police Department is the only police agency in Georgia to use this system.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 06, 2012)
WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Gwinnett County Police- Aviation Unit, US Army Corps of Engineers and The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will all be present at the drill.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a swiftwater river rescue training drill on the Chattahoochee River. 

WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Buford Dam West Lower Pool 

WHY: Swiftwater emergencies are among the most hazardous types of rescue situations that firefighters are faced with. The often unforgiving and turbulent waters can be deadly to people who are unsuspecting. Each year firefighters respond to calls for people distressed on area rivers and streams. For this reason, firefighters from various jurisdictions train together to prepare for busy spring and summer and to share this safety message. This drill will include several agencies mitigating a simulated river rescue emergency with two or more victims. The demonstration is open to any media wishing to attend. The event will be highly visual for both still photography as well as video. Many of the different agencies involved will be available to interview.               

To attend this training session, please contact Lieutenant Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 06, 2012)
WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Gwinnett County Police- Aviation Unit, US Army Corps of Engineers and The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will all be present at the drill.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a swiftwater river rescue training drill on the Chattahoochee River. 

WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Buford Dam West Lower Pool 

WHY: Swiftwater emergencies are among the most hazardous types of rescue situations that firefighters are faced with. The often unforgiving and turbulent waters can be deadly to people who are unsuspecting. Each year firefighters respond to calls for people distressed on area rivers and streams. For this reason, firefighters from various jurisdictions train together to prepare for busy spring and summer and to share this safety message. This drill will include several agencies mitigating a simulated river rescue emergency with two or more victims. The demonstration is open to any media wishing to attend. The event will be highly visual for both still photography as well as video. Many of the different agencies involved will be available to interview.               

To attend this training session, please contact Lieutenant Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 06, 2012)
WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Gwinnett County Police- Aviation Unit, US Army Corps of Engineers and The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will all be present at the drill.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a swiftwater river rescue training drill on the Chattahoochee River. 

WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Buford Dam West Lower Pool 

WHY: Swiftwater emergencies are among the most hazardous types of rescue situations that firefighters are faced with. The often unforgiving and turbulent waters can be deadly to people who are unsuspecting. Each year firefighters respond to calls for people distressed on area rivers and streams. For this reason, firefighters from various jurisdictions train together to prepare for busy spring and summer and to share this safety message. This drill will include several agencies mitigating a simulated river rescue emergency with two or more victims. The demonstration is open to any media wishing to attend. The event will be highly visual for both still photography as well as video. Many of the different agencies involved will be available to interview.               

To attend this training session, please contact Lieutenant Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 06, 2012)
WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Gwinnett County Police- Aviation Unit, US Army Corps of Engineers and The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will all be present at the drill.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a swiftwater river rescue training drill on the Chattahoochee River. 

WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Buford Dam West Lower Pool 

WHY: Swiftwater emergencies are among the most hazardous types of rescue situations that firefighters are faced with. The often unforgiving and turbulent waters can be deadly to people who are unsuspecting. Each year firefighters respond to calls for people distressed on area rivers and streams. For this reason, firefighters from various jurisdictions train together to prepare for busy spring and summer and to share this safety message. This drill will include several agencies mitigating a simulated river rescue emergency with two or more victims. The demonstration is open to any media wishing to attend. The event will be highly visual for both still photography as well as video. Many of the different agencies involved will be available to interview.               

To attend this training session, please contact Lieutenant Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 06, 2012)
WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Gwinnett County Police- Aviation Unit, US Army Corps of Engineers and The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will all be present at the drill.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a swiftwater river rescue training drill on the Chattahoochee River. 

WHEN: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

WHERE: Buford Dam West Lower Pool 

WHY: Swiftwater emergencies are among the most hazardous types of rescue situations that firefighters are faced with. The often unforgiving and turbulent waters can be deadly to people who are unsuspecting. Each year firefighters respond to calls for people distressed on area rivers and streams. For this reason, firefighters from various jurisdictions train together to prepare for busy spring and summer and to share this safety message. This drill will include several agencies mitigating a simulated river rescue emergency with two or more victims. The demonstration is open to any media wishing to attend. The event will be highly visual for both still photography as well as video. Many of the different agencies involved will be available to interview.               

To attend this training session, please contact Lieutenant Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com