Gwinnett County will be better prepared in the event of a major disaster after Tuesday's Board of Commissioners meeting. The board decided to give grant money to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to purchase advanced equipment to help in an emergency.
The equipment will be used in helping them prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks or other major disasters, such as the building collapse recently experienced in Florida.
The funds are an ongoing Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency grant. No other information was given as to what exactly the equipment mentioned looked like.
The commissioners also approved several new art installations. They approved two new art sculptures to be placed in Lawrenceville, the county seat. According to a release from the commissioners, the sculptures will, “remind residents to stay vibrantly connected through our 300th year and beyond.” Gwinnett County celebrated their 200th birthday in 2018.
Funds were approved and the green light was given to Atlanta artist David Landis to design the two sculptures, which are described as high-polished and stainless steel.
One of the sculptures will resemble gingko leaves and be placed on the Centennial Trail at the intersection of Constitution Boulevard and South Culver Street. Another interactive sculpture, “Clover Field” will be housed at the Bicentennial Plaza. Both sculptures will be finished by next summer.
Finally, the commissioners applauded the continued efforts to maintain high water standards in the county. The Department of Water Resources has committed to use water wisely and be held to a higher standard. This is part of being involved in the WaterFirst program, developed by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority. Gwinnett was the first participant in the WaterFirst program when it was created in 2003.
