The Refreshing Project

On Saturday, December 28, at approximately 9:17 PM, we were notified by our alarm company of a fire alarm in the Zack Brown Administrative and Educational Center. A small fire in the electrical room triggered the sprinkler system, which successfully extinguished the fire.
DeKalb Fire and Rescue inspected the building to ensure the fire had not spread, and thankfully, it had not.
However, the building sustained smoke and water damage throughout 80% of the facility. We are actively working with our insurance and remediation specialists to restore the space and make necessary improvements. During this time, please refrain from entering the facility. Updates on the progress will be shared here. 

🏗️ The Refreshing Project Update – January 15, 2025 🏗️
Progress is being made on restoring the Zack Brown Administrative and Educational Center!
Here’s the latest update:

• ✅ The building has been dried, and dehumidifiers remain on-site.
• ✅ Tile and carpet flooring have been removed.
• ✅ Demolition of the fire-damaged area has begun.
• ✅ Damaged furniture has been removed from the facility.
• 🔄 Evaluations of other potentially damaged furniture are ongoing.

We appreciate your continued prayers and support as we move forward in restoring and enhancing the space for ministry purposes. Stay tuned for more updates!

Restoration work is progressing steadily at the Zack Brown Administrative and Educational Center. Here's the latest update:

• 🔨 Flooring Removal Expanded: Crews continued removing flooring near the fire's source area, extending into hallways and multiple rooms.
• 🌬️ Drying Efforts Maintained: Drying equipment is actively targeting wet drywall areas to ensure thorough moisture removal.
• 📦 Content Manipulation Ongoing: Teams are continuing to move furniture and items in preparation for additional flooring removal in various rooms.

Restoration efforts at the Zack Brown Administrative and Educational Center continue to make steady progress. Here's what has been accomplished as of today:

• 🔌 Temporary Power Equipment Removed: All temporary power equipment has been taken out, and the building has been secured.
• 🌬️ Drying Equipment Adjusted: Crews have repositioned drying equipment to better target wet drywall areas, ensuring thorough drying.
• 📦 Content Manipulation: Teams have begun moving furniture and items in multiple rooms to prepare for the removal of damaged flooring.
• 🚻 Restroom Cleaning: Restrooms near the fire’s source area have been cleaned as part of the ongoing restoration process.

These steps are vital as we continue working toward restoring the building for ministry use. Thank you for your patience and prayers during this process!

The images below reveal the fire-damaged electrical room and surrounding areas, providing a clearer look at the impact of the incident. Here's the latest progress:

• 🔥 Fire Area: Photos show the extent of damage to the electrical room, including charred surfaces and replaced components.
• 💡 Lights Restored: Power has been safely restored to the building, allowing work crews to continue restoration efforts.
• ⚡ Electrical Repairs: The electrical system has been thoroughly dried, and damaged breakers have been replaced to ensure functionality and safety.
• 🌡️ Heat Turned On: The building's heating system is now operational to prevent freezing pipes and avoid additional water damage.

These milestones are critical steps in our journey to restore the facility and ensure it is safe and ready for ministry use. 

On Thursday, January 2, key leaders of Fairfield Baptist Church met with our insurance adjuster and ServPro representatives to assess the damage and plan for restoration. Attendees included:

• Pastor Eric George Vickers, Sr., Rev. Dr. Michael Benton, Pastor Emeritus, Deaconess Bonni Ware, Church Administrator, Deacon Kenneth Broughton, Chairman, Diakonos Ministry, Rod Parks, Chairman, Trustee Ministry, Rev. Leonard Jones, Facility Superintendent, Minister Cleon D. Frazier, Minister of Media and Creative Arts

Key Outcomes from the Meeting:

• Repairs and restorative work are expected to take approximately 90 days.
• Fire investigator made site visit to determine the cause of the fire. Report may take up to 60 days to come back. Electrical room the source of the fire, is off-limits.
• Extensive damage to the flooring in the facility - all carpet and tile areas with the exception of the bathrooms will need to be removed. 
• Damaged drywall to be removed.
• Asbestos and other air test have been sent off. 
• Church offices will be temporarily relocated to the Son’s House to ensure continuity of operations.
• Comcast is being brought in to install internet services in the Son’s House, enabling the resumption of live-streaming Sunday worship services without interruption.

We remain committed to keeping you informed and thank you for your continued prayers and support.

The images captured on December 30 highlight the extensive flooding caused by the sprinkler system discharge and the ongoing restoration efforts:

• 🌊 Educational Suite: Classrooms show residual signs of water damage, though much of the standing water has been vacuumed. Floors and walls remain damp, awaiting further drying.
• 📋 Conference Rooms: Tables and chairs have been shifted to assess water exposure, and smoke damage is visible on walls and ceilings.
• 🎥 Media Center: Equipment and work areas sustained significant water damage, with smoke residue still present. Specialized cleaning is planned to salvage critical equipment.
• 🏢 Administrative Suite: Offices are cleared of furniture to allow ServPro teams to thoroughly assess and treat the damage.
• ⚙️ Mechanical Rooms: Electrical panels and systems are being inspected to ensure safety, as these areas experienced heavy water exposure.
• 🖥️ Office Spaces: Furniture and office supplies have been relocated where possible; humidifiers are actively running to prevent mold growth.

ServPro, brought in by our insurance company, has been instrumental in:

• Removing water from the floors using vacuum systems.
• Beginning the drying process with industrial dehumidifiers.
• Cleaning smoke damage to prepare for restoration.

We are grateful for the diligent work of the restoration team and for your support as we navigate this process.

Here’s a look at the impact of the fire and sprinkler discharge captured the day after the incident:

• 🌊 Flooding in the Educational Area: Classrooms sustained significant water intrusion due to the sprinkler system discharge.
• 🎥 Media and Creative Arts Space: Equipment and workspaces were impacted by water damage, requiring immediate attention and assessment.
• 🪑 Furniture Damage: Several desks, chairs, and cabinets were visibly soaked and damaged, with some pieces no longer salvageable.
• 🚪 Hallways and Common Areas: Standing water spread throughout, leaving visible trails of smoke and water damage on walls and floors.

These images remind us of the challenge we face, but they also underscore our commitment to rebuilding and pressing forward