(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 1, 2011) - Gwinnett County commissioners approved an automatic aid agreement for fire and emergency services with Hall County during a meeting last month. The agreement also allows firefighters from both counties to train together. "This formalizes a long-standing verbal agreement to share equipment and resources across county borders, and it will help reduce response times and provide adequate coverage along the county line during times of greatest need," Gwinnett Fire Chief Bill Myers.

In a separate action, the board accepted a $25,000 grant to maintain or replace equipment carried on the fire department's Search and Rescue truck used during building collapses, confined-space rescues and high-angle rope rescues. The money comes from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency through the federal Homeland Security Grant Program. The truck, based at Station 24 on Mall of Georgia Boulevard, is available for local, regional and statewide emergency response, such as the recent Buford tornado and the parking deck collapse in downtown Atlanta.