JOHNS CREEK, Ga. --
With 44 gated communities, the city of Johns Creek is improving emergency response times by installing a new system, the first of its kind in Georgia. It gives rescue workers access to gated communities with the click of a button.
City leaders said that emergency crews are often stopped dead in their tracks because codes supplied to them are outdated, or master keys don't work properly.
"I was hysterical," said Sondra Stockton, who told CBS Atlanta that rescue crews could not get into her gated community to help her son recently.
"My son had a tool chest on him that was about 300 pounds," Stockton said. "'It was an additional 10 minutes because they couldn't get in the gate. It was terrifying."
The system, called "Click2Enter," allows rescuers to use their radios to activate the gates as they approach an apartment or housing complex.
"We would probably save somewhere around two to three minutes just getting through the gate," said Johns Creek Fire Marshal Chad McGiboney.
McGiboney has been the driving force behind the new system.
"The first 10 minutes of a fire is the most important, so we must get here as soon as possible," McGiboney said.
The maintenance manager of Johns Creek Walk, one of the complexes that has Click2Enter, said that safety is his No. 1 concern.
"In the past, we have had an emergency, and they basically had to ram the gates," said Kevin Hankins.
The system is costing the city approximately $33,000.
"It's hard to put a price on saving lives," said McGiboney.
Thirty-seven gated communities in Johns Creek have approved the installation of Click2Enter.
Stockton said that she is frustrated her neighborhood does not have the new system in place yet.
"Thank God, the way the tool chest was on him, he didn't have any internal organ damage," Stockton said of her teenage son. "We were very lucky. Very lucky."
Copyright 2010 by cbsatlanta.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
