WHAT:The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services will host a graduation commencement ceremony for the department’s 2012 Paramedic class.  

WHEN:Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 5 p.m.

WHO: Speakers include County Administrator Glenn Stephens, Commissioner Mike Beaudreau and Fire Chief Bill Myers.

WHERE:Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center in the Auditorium on the first floor, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

WHY: In 2011 the department responded to over 64,450 incidents last year - 73% of them were calls for emergency medical incidents. The department is committed to providing the highest level of service to the citizens of Gwinnett. Providing firefighters with additional training of becoming a Paramedic accomplishes two goals. First, having well trained paramedics to assist the department in meeting the citizen’s needs on any advanced medical emergency, regardless of what fire apparatus the paramedic may arrive on. Secondly, is these paramedic firefighters will assist the department in providing advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care while working on one of the many fire engines that may respond to emergency medical calls within all sixteen cities and unincorporated Gwinnett County.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Friday, May 11, 2012) - Gwinnett Fire Investigators have filed charges and are actively searching for a person who attempted to set fire to a Norcross apartment building.  The incident occurred Saturday, April 28, 2012 around 1:49 a.m. at the 1800 block of Graves Road in Norcross. 

According to investigators, Julius Mackland (A.K.A. Macklin) a black male, age 21, intentionally tried to set fire to combustible materials with the intent to start a fire in the structure which he had previously resided.  The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ personnel responded to The Arbor Mills apartments on a report of an apartment fire. When crews arrived to mitigate the incident, firefighters found smoke damage to the kitchen area. Fortunately, the actions failed to produce a fire prior to injuring anyone or causing significant damage to the apartment unit. None of the other building occupants were affected during the incident. Firefighters notified investigators of the situation while they checked for extension in the rest of the apartment unit. The fire caused minor damage to the surrounding cabinets and walls within the apartment unit. 

"We are fortunate that the fire did not get out of control and that no one was injured or killed. The timing of the incident was a big concern for firefighters in this instance, there were so many other families that live within that building that were sleeping, we are just so very lucky we got there when we did,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Eric Eberly.

Gwinnett Fire Investigators have been in contact with Mr. Mackland’s probation officers in an attempt to detain him, but have been unsuccessful thus far. On Wednesday May 9, 2012, Gwinnett Fire Investigators filed charges of first-degree arson, which is a felony that carries a penalty of one to twenty years behind bars.

WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services, Cobb County Fire, City of Marietta Fire, Walker County Fire and City of Johns Creek Fire will all be present at the drill.

WHAT:The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a swiftwater river rescue training drill on Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta’s Thunder River.

WHEN: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday May 7, 8 & 9, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Six Flags Atlanta Georgia

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 Captain Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com

WHO: Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services along with teachers, counselors and elementary school students from numerous Gwinnett County Public Schools will all be present at the camp.

WHAT: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services will host a fun and educational day for campers who have participated in the FLAME program throughout the school year.

WHEN: Friday, May 4, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services Fire Training Academy

WHY: The camp serves as a celebration event at the end of the school year for students who participated in the FLAME Program. The camp also provides an opportunity for the children to see where firefighters attend school as part of their job duties.

Some of the events that will make great picture and video opportunities are:
· Repelling out of a building
· Firefighters Rapid Dress
· Firefighters Bucket/Cup Brigade
· Tour of Fire Academy burn building
· Swift Water Rope Throw Drill
· Fire hose squirt the cone Drill
· Various Department Apparatus will be on display

To attend this media opportunity, please contact Captain Eric Eberly at 678-300-7220 or e-mail at eric.eberly@gwinnettcounty.com

The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services will recognize a total Burn Ban on all outdoor burning from May 1st - September 30th, 2012.  This means that all types of outdoor/open burning are prohibited during the time period designated.  The Burn Ban is issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and includes 54-counties within the state of Georgia.

LAWRENCEVILLE - (Thursday, May 3, 2012) The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind citizens that a total ban on all outdoor burning is in place from May 1st thru September 30th, 2012.  The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) imposes an annual ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations. During the summer months in Georgia, the ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels.  The EPD has identified outdoor/open burning as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone.  Consequently, open burning in metro Atlanta and larger counties is restricted during the warm weather season.  The safe use of residential BBQ grills for outdoor cooking is still allowed and does not require a permit.  As always, people should exercise extreme caution when using residential BBQ grills.  The use of BBQ grills on the balcony of apartment buildings is prohibited under the Gwinnett County Fire Ordinance.

The following types of outdoor/open burning are banned:

•You may not burn trees, limbs, or any other yard waste. This includes a ban on the use of air curtain destructors for land clearing.

The following types of outdoor/open burning are still allowed, provided the proper permits are obtained:

•Fires for agricultural practices zoned RA-200/residential agricultural or a forestry service prescribed burn.
•Fires for the purpose of training of firefighting personnel.
•All Bonfires for activities sponsored by: educational, civic, religious or other groups for the purpose of celebration are required to be permitted. (Contact Fire Plan Review for Permits at 678-518-6000 or Go to www.gwinnettcounty.com –Departments - Planning and Development - Plan Review Sections - Fire Plan Review)

For additional information concerning the Burn Ban, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678.518.4980 or go to the website at www.gwinnettfiremarshal.com.

(Lawrenceville, Ga., Wednesday, April 12, 2012) - Gwinnett Fire Investigators have filed charges and arrested a person for intentionally attempting to set fire to a Buford apartment.  The fire occurred this morning Wednesday, April 12, 2012 around 8:36 a.m. at the 2700 block of Mall of Georgia Boulevard in Buford. 

According to investigators, Darling D. Perez, a Hispanic female, age 39 of Buford, intentionally set fire to the furnishing within the unit in which she resides.  Gwinnett County Police along with Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Service’s personnel responded to The Estates at Mill Creek apartments on a report of a domestic disturbance. When crews arrived to render assistance, alert fire personnel noticed that Ms. Perez had attempted to catch fire to her apartment unit. Fortunately, the fire had burned itself out prior to injuring anyone or causing significant damage to the apartment unit. None of the other building occupants were affected during the incident. Firefighters checked for extension in the rest of the apartment unit. The fire caused minor damage to the unit. 

"We are fortunate that the fire did not get out of control and that no one was injured or killed. The safety for all our citizens is paramount. In this instance, there are so many other families that live within that building, we are very lucky we got there when we did,” said Gwinnett Fire Lieutenant Eric Eberly.
Gwinnett Police Officers had already arrested and detained Ms. Perez in the Gwinnett County Detention Center on Criminal Damage to Property since earlier in the morning.  Gwinnett Fire Investigators have filed an additional charge of first-degree arson, which is a felony that carries a penalty of one to twenty years behind bars.