LAWRENCEVILLE - (Thursday, March 24, 2011) Gwinnett County Firefighters responded to a report of a roof collapse at the Golden Living Center on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 9:41 a.m.  The center is located in the 200 block of Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville.  Golden Living Center is described as a skilled senior living-nursing facility.  Many of the residents are non-ambulatory and need assistance with day-to-day activity and mobility.

On arrival, crews found a significant collapse of the roof in the dining room area near the back of the building.  Firefighters began a search of the immediate area for anyone who may have been injured or trapped by the debris.  Firefighters and staff at the center were able to quickly account for the 108 residents, staff, and construction workers.  No one was in the dining room at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported.  Utilities such as power and gas had to be shut off to the building due to the damage.  The residents and staff were evacuated to a safe area on the opposite end of the building from the dining area.  It was later determined that occupants of the building would be displaced until further assessment and inspection by building engineers was completed and repairs to the roof are made.      

The collapse occurred as contractors were doing work to replace the roof.  It appeared that workers had removed a large portion of the plywood roof decking material and were installing new decking when the collapse occurred.  The exact cause of the collapse is undetermined at this point.  OSHA and building inspectors were called to the scene to assess the damage and determine the cause. 

The staff at the center worked closely with firefighters and personnel from Gwinnett Emergency Management to find temporary placement and transportation for the displaced residents.  The management and nursing staff from golden living were instrumental in tending to the immediate needs of the residents as they waited for transportation to a sister facility.  Transportation was arranged with private/public ambulances and school buses.  All the residents were transported from the facility by 6:30 p.m. 

INCIDENT DATE: 03/24/11

TIME DISPATCHED: 9:41 A.M.

ASSISTING AGENCIES INCLUDED:

Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services                  Gwinnett Public Health

Lawrenceville Police                                               Gwinnett Environmental Health

Gwinnett Emergency Management                     Gwinnett County Public Schools