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.
How to Read and Understand the News
Truth doesn’t bend because we dislike it.
Facts don’t vanish when they make us uncomfortable.
Events happen whether we accept them or not.
Good reporting challenges us. The press isn’t choosing sides — it’s relaying what official, verified sources say. Blaming reporters for bad news is like blaming a thermometer for a fever.
Americans have a history of misunderstanding simple things. In the 1980s, A&W rolled out a 1/3-pound burger to compete with McDonald’s Quarter Pounder. It failed because too many people thought 1/3 was smaller than 1/4. If we can botch basic math, we can certainly misread the news.
Before dismissing a story, ask yourself:
- What evidence backs this?
- Am I reacting to facts or feelings?
- What would change my mind?
- Am I just shooting the messenger?
And one more: Am I assuming bias just because I don’t like the story?
Smart news consumers seek truth, not comfort.
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.
