Forsyth County 911 Center “A” Shift personnel have been honored as the 911 Center Team of the Year for the state of Georgia. The “A” Shift team received this honor for their dedication and professionalism demonstrated during the courthouse shooting event of June 6, 2014. The award was presented recently at the seventh annual Georgia Emergency Communications Conference held in Athens, Georgia.
On June 6, 2014 at approximately 10 a.m. a heavily armed man wearing ballistic gear and a gas mask drove a vehicle onto the courthouse sidewalk and to the front steps with the apparent intention of driving the vehicle into the front door. He was encountered by a deputy conducting a routine perimeter check and swerved toward the deputy instead of driving up the steps. The suspect then opened fire wounding the deputy. The suspect was equipped with smoke grenades and began deploying them near the courthouse entrance.
911 Center Communications Officer Supervisor Ginger Adams was covering main law radio while one of her co-workers was on break. In addition to working the primary law radio Ginger continued monitoring multiple radio channels and heard the call of shots fired at the courthouse over a channel primarily monitored within the courthouse. Within seconds, Adams confidently alerted law enforcement personnel in the area. Although at this time it was unknown that a deputy had been injured, the communications officers working Fire and EMS Dispatch immediately notified their respective units and supervisors of the same information.
“This alert and swift communication may have saved the lives of many of those in the courthouse, as law enforcement officers in the area were on scene within seconds and were able to assist courthouse deputies with preventing the suspect from entering the courthouse,” said Forsyth County 911 Center Director Pat Giordano.
Following an extensive volley of gunfire, the suspect threat was neutralized and the scene secured with no civilian casualties. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had an extensive cache of ammunition, explosive devices, zip ties and other paraphernalia indicating that he may have intended to take hostage and/or kill those he encountered in the courthouse.
“I commend the on-duty shift for their professionalism and dedication that they demonstrated during this event,” said Giordano. “Their decisive actions and absolute competency, in the midst of an extremely tense situation, show that they are highly trained, skillful and adept in their roles as communications officers.”
“Forsyth County government employees work diligently every day to provide vital services in an effective manner,” said County Manager Doug Derrer. “The actions of our 911 Center personnel during this incident certainly reflect their commitment to providing outstanding service. We are proud of them and extend our sincerest congratulations on this recognition.”
At the same time that this incident was occurring on June 6, 2014, 911 Center personnel were participating in “live” active shooter training with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office at another location. Supervisor Adams and some members of her shift had completed the training just four days before the incident occurred. The deputy sheriff involved in the initial confrontation had completed the training two days prior.
“The 911 Center functioned seamlessly with law enforcement personnel in responding to this dramatic incident, showing that the coordinated training, planning and situational preparedness for an active shooter episode had paid off,” Giordano said. “The exemplary performance embodies the values set forth in the 911 Center’s mission statement and I thank all of our 911 Center employees for their dedication to our chosen profession.”
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