CALHOUN GETS $80,000 HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS

(04/23/2004)

Calhoun has received a total of $80,000 in homeland security money, with $50,000 of the grant to be used by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department for activities connected to a future terrorist attack. The other $30,000 has been granted to the county's Office of Emergency Services, which is headed by Bill Stemple. Every county in the state received the $30,000 grant. Governor Bob Wise announced $31 million dollars in federal grants this week to help local communities prepare for terrorist attacks. Commissioner Bob Weaver attended a workshop Thursday which outlined how the money must be spent. The state is using its homeland security money for equipment ranging from software to chemical decontamination units -- along with cash for planning and training. The money has been 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. None of the money from the current allocation can be used for "bricks and mortar" or replacement of fire trucks or police cruisers. The money must be used for training or equipment directly linked to future terrorist activities. 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. He expressed concern yesterday that police and fire service members must be trained to respond to such events. Roane County received a grant of over $200,000.

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