Firefighters Respond to Distressed Norris Lake Boater During Storm

Severe thunderstorms stranded a man in Norris Lake Monday evening.

Firefighters responded to a call of a distressed boater in Norris Lake, during severe, slow-moving thunderstorms that moved through Snellville Monday evening. At approximately 8:39 p.m., emergency workers recieved a call about the stranded man, who officials said was seeking refuge under a bridge from the strong winds and intense lightning. The man, who was unhurt, spoke with firefighters from his cell phone, and he was eventually able to leave the water on his own once the storm subsided, according to a press release from Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. During heavy storms, firefighters suggest that those visiting lakes stay alert to changing weather and leave the water when a storm approaches. Returning to shore and seeking …

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Officials Stress Safety on Fourth of July

Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services is encouraging caution tomorrow, and throughout the Fourth of July holiday.

Fourth of July is upon us. But, so is the probablity of getting hurt while fireworks fun is being had. Don't want to be that person who shoots themselves in the foot -- literally, burns down five acres of park land, or sets your neighbor's house afire, then here are some tips to follow, courtesy of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. No. 1, the fire officials want residents to leave the use of fireworks to professionals. "With the many opportunities to get together and view professional fireworks displays, why take any risks,” said Lt. Colin Rhoden, spokesman for Gwinnett County Fire, in a press release. Officials said risks associated with consumer-type fireworks include injuries to the hands and eyes, especially children under …

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Citizen Fire Academy Now Accepting Applications

Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services to host 16th citizen fire academy in September.

Want to learn what it is like to be a firefighter? Civic minded citizens will have a chance to do just that during the 16th Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services citizen fire academy. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about fire and EMS operations, fire prevention, incident management systems, specialty team operations and community risk reduction. “During the class, participants learn first-hand what its like to be a firefighter/EMT, paramedic, on-scene incident commander, emergency dispatcher, and various administrative functions,” said Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services public information officer Capt. Tommy Rutledge in a released statement. “The class provides updated information about the many facets of the …

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First Responders

First Responder: Firefighter/Driver Matt Moulder

This 26-year-old is one of Gwinnett County's elite members of the special hazmat team, which serves Snellville and all the county. See what he thinks about the job.

Name: Matt Moulder Age: 26 Town: Braselton, Ga. Rank/Title: Driver (Hazmat Team, Gwinnett County) How long with the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services? Moulder has been with fire department since he was about 18, in 2004. Why did you want to become a firefighters? "I was sitting in high school that day when I saw that (Sept. 11, 2001 U.S. terrorist attacks). We watched it all on TV that day on Sept. 11. Figured, you know, it'd be nice to help people. They were giving there lives, pretty much knowing they probably were not going to come out. It's a calling so, you do what you got to do." Other members of your family firefighters? Moulder's brother-in-law, Brad Miller, a firefighter at Station 12 helped Moulder make his decision. Miller's …

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Crystal Huskey

10:16 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012

That's an amazing comment. Thank you for sharing that. I would love to know more about your experiences. If you'd like to talk, feel free to email me at Crystal.Huskey@patch.com.   more ›

First Responders

First Responder: Firefighter Justin Moody

He's got about seven years as a firefighter, but Justin Moody has spent the last several years with the fire department's hazmat team, which serves all of Gwinnett County, including Snellville.

Name: Justin Moody Age: 28 Town: Decatur, Ga. Rank/Title: Firefighter 3 (Hazmat Team, Gwinnett County) How long with the Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services? Moody has been with fire department since he was 21. At 20, he quit traditional college after his second year to become a emergency medical technician, or EMT. He eventually applied and was accepted as a firefighter. Why did you want to become a firefighters? "After Sept. 11, I was in college, and I saw all that go down -- the whole thing, the news and all that -- and shortly after that, it just got stuck in my head after that. "Seeing all those firefighters go into the building, and they never came out and all that stuff. And, I know a lot of people were like, why'd they go in and …

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Tragedy Brings Focus on Fire Safety

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge says smoke detectors, safety plan is vital to getting out alive.

It’s a cautionary story Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge would rather not use to make his point about fire safety. A Dacula man and his 8-year-old son died in a house fire early Wednesday morning. According to fire investigators, there was no evidence of a working smoke detector. The boy was the only family member who was awake when the blaze hit sometime after 8 a.m. “The mother stated that she did have a smoke detector and that her husband often checked it,” Rutledge said Friday afternoon. “No one reported hearing the alarm sound at the time of the fire.” The fire is still under investigation. Firefighters pulled the man and boy from the fire. According to Rutledge's report, they might have gone back into the house to fight the fire. …

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Get Fired Up to Run in 5-Alarm 5K on Saturday

Proceeds from Fun Run and 5K Run/Walk benefit Gwinnett Fire Employee Benevolent Fund.

Get fired up to run in the Gwinnett Fire Department’s 5-Alarm 5K Run/Walk Saturday, June 25, at Town Center Park in Suwanee. All proceeds go to support the Gwinnett Fire Employee Benevolent Fund.  The fund helps Gwinnett firefighters and their families during time of need, according to Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge. The one-mile fun run starts at 8:30 a.m. followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Race day registration is $25.  Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers, top three male and female finishers in each age category, and top firefighters running in the event. Awards also will be given out to the top three joggers with strollers. Town Center Park is located at 370 Buford Hwy. NW.

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Fire Ignites at Abandoned Home

Fire officials were dispatched to the Norton Road home just after 10: 30 p.m., June 13.

An abandoned home had extensive damage following a Monday night fire on Norton Road in Snellville. A medic crew noticed smoke about 10:36 p.m. as they traveled south on Highway 124 near U.S. Highwway 78, according to a press statement from Capt. Tommy Rutledge, of Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services. When they located the home, a heavy fire was burning on the second floor of the two-story house, located in the 2200 block of Norton Road, officials said. The medic crew requested additional units to respond to help extinguish the fire. Firefighters contained the blaze to the attic and second floor, but there was extensive damage to to interior of the home.  No one was located inside the home, and no injuries were reported, fire official said…

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Citizens Help Raise $50,000 in Burn Foundation Drive

During three Saturdays in May, local citizens donated $52,158.92 for the "Give Burns the Boot" drive.

Fire officials announced today that Gwinnett residents donated a total of $52,158.92 to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation during three Saturdays in May, when local firefighters joined in the 21st annual Give Burns the Boot drive. The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services joined 100 other fire departments across the state of Georgia to collect donations throughout May. The Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation supports burn centers, camps and prevention programs throughout the state. Funds collected through the drive benefit residents and firefighters who experience severe burn injury. Ten percent of the total amount collected will go back to Gwinnett County fire department for smoke alarms and education materials…

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