LAWRENCEVILLE - (Friday, Oct. 29, 2010) The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services will open three brand-new fire stations on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. 

Fire personnel are set to report to the new facilities at 7 a.m. to begin their tour of duty. "This is an important and exciting time in the history of our department," said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge. "The fact that we are able to open these new state-of-the-art facilities is a direct result of the unwavering support for public safety by the Board of Commissioners, County staff, and the citizens of Gwinnett County."

The three fire stations and related apparatus were funded by the voter-approved special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST. The stations were completed last year, but the County was unable to staff the three fire stations due to budget cuts brought on by slowing growth in the tax digest and a declining economy. However, commissioners recognized how important these stations are to protect residents and their property in these communities and implemented a property tax increase in late 2009 in part to hire the staff to operate these stations. As a result, the Fire and Emergency Services Department was able to hire and train new firefighters to help staff these stations.

The public is invited to stop by to tour and meet the dedicated and professional men and women who will serve as neighbors and partners in their community.

Fire Station #18:

1515 Mineral Springs Road

Hoschton, GA  30548

Station #18 is a new, relocated, three-bay emergency response facility and will be home to Engine-18, Ladder Truck-18, and Medic-18. The ladder truck is a new addition to the station and will enhance the department's response capabilities. The ladder truck is primarily used to fight fires and protect nearby exposures by setting up elevated fire streams. The ladder truck will be staffed by personnel skilled in firefighting and pre-hospital emergency medical care. The current fire station on Braselton Highway was built in 1981 and measured 3,888 square feet. The new station measures 12,806 square feet and includes amenities such as: commercial grade kitchen appliances, drive-thru apparatus bays, individual bunk room cubicles, exercise room, office space, and a community classroom. The station was built with energy savings in mind and includes: low-flow lavatories, dimmer switches, motion sensor lighting, and fluorescent lighting in the apparatus bays.           

Fire Station #29:

2800 Thompson Mill Road

Buford, GA  30519

Station #29 is a new, two-bay emergency response facility and will be home to Engine-29.  The addition of Station #29 will enhance fire and emergency medical coverage in an area where homes were located further than five miles from the nearest fire station. The station will reduce response times to fire and medical emergencies and will aid homeowners by reducing insurance premiums. The new station measures 12,806 square feet and includes amenities such as: commercial grade kitchen appliances, drive-thru apparatus bays, individual bunk room cubicles, exercise room, office space, and a community classroom.  The station was built with energy savings in mind and includes: low-flow lavatories, dimmer switches, motion sensor lighting, and fluorescent lighting in the apparatus bays.

Fire Station #30:

1052 Ozora Road

Loganville, GA  30052

Station #30 is a new, three-bay emergency response facility and will be home to Engine-30, Ladder Truck-30, and Battalion-5. The addition of Station #30 will place an engine and ladder truck closer to the community and reduce response times to fires and medical emergencies. The new station measures 12,806 square feet and includes amenities such as: commercial grade kitchen appliances, drive-thru apparatus bays, individual bunk room cubicles, exercise room, office space, and a community classroom. The station was built with energy savings in mind and includes: low-flow lavatories, dimmer switches, motion sensor lighting, and fluorescent lighting in the apparatus bays. 

Members of the community are invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony for each of the new stations. Ceremonies will be held by the following schedule:

            Station #18:

            Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at 10 a.m.

            Station #29

            Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, at 2 p.m.

            Station #30

           Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010, at 9 a.m.

"Each station is designed to accommodate future growth within the department and will be a viable part of the community for many decades to come," said Fire Chief Bill Myers. 

For additional information about the new stations or for interview opportunities, please contact Captain Tommy Rutledge, PIO at 678.300.5749 or e-mail tommy.rutledge@gwinnettcounty.com.