CALHOUN EXPECTED TO GET HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS

(04/20/2004)
Governor Wise was expected to announce $31 million dollars in federal grants to help local communities prepare for terrorist attacks, with some of the grant money expected to come to Calhoun County.

Commissioner Bob Weaver will be in Charleston Thursday to attend a workshop which will allow the county to receive homeland security funds.

What is being funded in Calhoun is expected to be learned this week.

Grants for equipment ranging from software to chemical decontamination units -- along with cash for planning and training -- are sprinkled across all 55 counties, plus 21 cities and ten state agencies.

Wise says the grants will help police officers, firefighters and emergency responders improve the state's homeland security efforts.

Steve Kappa, director of the state Office of Emergency Services, says the money allows the state to respond to a catastrophic event at the community level.