Updates

Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season!Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services sends our warmest holiday greetings to the residents, families, and partners we’re honored to serve. While our crews remain on duty today, responding, protecting, and caring, we want to thank our community for your continued trust and support. May today bring peace, connection, and celebration to your home. From our team to yours, Happy Holidays and a safe New Year!

Firefighters notice electrical hazards quickly. Here’s what we wish everyone knew:• Space heaters + power strips = major fire riskAlways go straight into the wall.• Holiday lights get hot. Never bundle cords or hide them under rugs.• Warm outlets are warning signs. If an outlet feels hot, unplug and stop using it immediately.• Extension cords aren’t permanent solutions.Especially with holiday decorations and kitchen appliances.Electrical safety is one of the simplest ways to prevent winter fires.

Hosting a community bonfire? Bonfires are different from firepits and require a written permit from the Fire Marshal’s Office every time. To qualify the bonfire: • Bonfires must be part of a civic, educational, religious, or other group celebration• Bonfires must have a water hose or fire extinguisher nearby and ready to use• Bonfires that are 4 cubic feet or smaller must be 50 feet away from a structure, fires 5 cubic feet must be 100 feet away from a structure• Keep a cell phone with you and be prepared to call 911 To request your permit, visit GwinnettFireMarshal.com.

Calling all plant lovers! The annual UGA Plant Sale is back. Choose from a variety of flowering and fruit plants to enhance your space or garden and support UGA Extension’s 4-H and Master Gardener programs. Preordering begins on January 2 and ends on February 28. Visit GwinnettCounty.com/UGAPlantSale to learn more.

Winter shifts EMS calls in ways many people don’t realize. •More slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces•More cardiac calls from cold weather and holiday stress•Patients lose body heat faster, even indoors•EMS adjusts gear and treatment to keep patients warm How you can help:Keep walkways clear, make your address easy to see, and check on older adults during cold snaps.

Meet Ryan Black, our next Working for Gwinnett spotlight!Ryan is a Firefighter Driver/Engineer at Station 31 who has proudly served with Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services for 13 years. Watch the video to learn more about his role and his commitment to serving our community. Thank you, Ryan, for your dedication and readiness to serve our residents!

Winter changes how fires behave and how firefighters respond.• Fires burn hotter indoors because windows stay closed.• Smoke hangs lower in cold air, reducing visibility.• Icy driveways slow access, and hydrants/hoses can freeze.Why it matters:Clear walkways, visible house numbers, and early 911 calls help crews reach you faster and work safely in winter conditions.

To most people, this looks like a red, smoky hallway, a dramatic moment inside a fire scene.But here’s what a trained firefighter sees:• Heat layering• Smoke movement• Flow path• Hazards and structural clues• The safest way in• The fastest way out• The most likely place a person might be trappedFirefighters aren’t just fighting flames; they’re reading an environment that changes every second.What you can do:If you ever call 911 for smoke or fire, give dispatch as much detail as possible: what you see, smell, or hear.Your information helps us read conditions faster before we even reach the door. Because in…