As Independence Day approaches, Gwinnett County residents are getting important guidance on when to call 911 for fireworks-related incidents versus using the non-emergency line.
🚨 Why It Matters: The 911 center experiences a major spike in calls during July 4th celebrations, and knowing when to use emergency services could save critical response time for life-threatening situations.
🎆 Know The Rules: Fireworks are permitted in Gwinnett County between 10 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on specific holidays including July 3rd and 4th, but using them outside these times violates the County Noise Control Ordinance.
📱 When To Call 911: Only call the emergency line if someone is injured or something catches fire due to fireworks.
☎️ When To Use Non-Emergency: Call the non-emergency number when people are being unsafe with fireworks (without injuries or fires) or when fireworks are used outside approved hours.
🗓️ The Big Picture: Holiday celebrations often lead to preventable emergencies. By understanding proper emergency service usage, residents can help ensure resources remain available for life-threatening situations while still reporting legitimate concerns.
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Before You Dismiss This Article…
We live in a time when information feels overwhelming, but here’s what hasn’t changed: facts exist whether they comfort us or not.
When A&W launched their third-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder in the 1980s, it failed spectacularly. Not because it tasted worse, but because customers thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If basic math can trip us up, imagine how easily we can misread complex news.
The press isn’t against you when it reports something you don’t want to hear. Reporters are thermometers, not the fever itself. They’re telling you what verified sources are saying, not taking sides. Good reporting should challenge you — that’s literally the job.
Next time a story makes you angry, pause. Ask yourself: What evidence backs this up? Am I reacting with my brain or my gut? What would actually change my mind? And most importantly, am I assuming bias just because the story doesn’t match what I hoped to hear.
Smart readers choose verified information over their own comfort zone.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
