by GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Don’t be alarmed if you see smoke rising from a warehouse near downtown Gainesville on Monday. It’s not a real fire—it’s training.
The Gainesville Fire Department will simulate a commercial fire as part of a day-long field training exercise on June 9. The drill will run from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at a vacant warehouse located at the corner of Main Street and College Avenue.
Emergency vehicles and personnel will be on site throughout the day, and the public may see what appears to be smoke coming from the building. Officials stress the smoke is non-toxic and there is no real fire involved.
The training is part of promotional testing for department personnel. City officials are asking residents to avoid calling 911 unless there is an actual emergency.
Drivers are encouraged to use caution in the area, as a portion of College Avenue may be reduced to a single lane intermittently during the exercise.
The city thanked the public for its patience as firefighters take part in this important readiness training.
