GWINNETT CO.,
GEORGIA 911 CENTER EVACUATED DUE TO HAZMAT SITUATION. EMPLOYEES HAD BREATHING PROBLEMS FROM THE
FIRE SUPPRESSING MATERIAL.
The Gwinnett County 911 Center remains evacuated after a
Hazmat situation Monday morning.
Emergency crews rushed to the building at about 10 a.m.
Monday. It's unclear what caused the fire suppression system to activate.
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach was at the scene while Hazmat
and fire crews were investigating.
Police say a member of the 911 Center notified all
officers that they had an emergency in the 911 Center. Police say the
building was immediately evacuated.
911 services resumed at 11 a.m. Five employees were
taken to Gwinnett Medical Center for evaluation, according to police. A ceiling
tile fell, hitting one person, police on the scene said. All employees are in
good condition and being monitored.
The fire department is still inside the building trying
to figure out what set off the fire suppression system. All the electronics
inside the building are the main reason Hazmat was called to the scene.
The 911 service was only briefly interrupted. Operations
have been moved to police headquarters and the Mobile Operations
Center vehicle in the parking lot of the headquarters.
Responders are taking calls as normal.
The extent of damage to the 911 center is being evaluated.
__________________________________________
Update, 12 p.m.
Authorities say the Monday morning mazmat incident at
the Gwinnett County 911 Center on Hi Hope Road was a “hazardous material”
associated with the facility’s fire suppression system.
Gwinnett Police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith said the
system activated at 9:56 a.m. ”for an unknown reason.” The incident is being
investigated.
“The fire suppression system is not a typical water
sprinkler system used in most buildings,” Smith said in an email. Five 911
Center employees were taken to local hospitals for evaluation. They had
possible respiratory issues caused by the fire supression system, Smith said.
The 911 Center has been evacuated as the damage is being
assessed. The center’s operations have been moved to police headquarters.
“Any disruption to delivery of police and fire services
was minor and has been resolved,” Smith said.
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Original post
An apparent hazardous material incident forced an
evacuation at the Gwinnett County 911 Center on Hi Hope Road Monday morning.
Gwinnett Police said five employees were transported to
the hospital for evaluation. Police said in an email sent at 10:53 a.m. that
911 services have been restored after a brief shutdown.
Police said a member of the 911 Center reported an
emergency at 9:56 a.m., forcing an immediate evacuation.
Gwinnett Fire referred to the incident as at a “hazmat
call” in an email.
Check back for updates.