Homeland Security upgrading Tenn. emergency services

Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company 
 
By BEN BENTON
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee) 

Area emergency services have stocked up thanks to Homeland Security funding, and fire grants have helped replace outdated and dilapidated equipment, officials said.

"District 3 (comprising the 10 counties in Southeast Tennessee) has done a spectacular job," said Rick Shipkowski, deputy director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security. "They're one of our model districts."

Almost $20 million in Homeland Security and Assistance to Firefighters Grant program funding was allocated to Southeast Tennessee through 2005 to improve services, buy equipment and create a latticework of emergency support, Mr. Shipkowski said. The fire grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

District 3 counties have invested heavily with Homeland Security funding, Mr. Shipkowski said. Rather than having specialized equipment and capabilities only in Hamilton and Bradley counties, Mr. Shipkowski said all the counties now play an "unprecedented" role.

* Charleston, Tenn., officials got a new police/rescue boat. Rhea County got a pair of rescue boats and volunteer firefighters acquired all new turnout gear. The cities of Decatur and Sequatchie and a number of rural fire halls obtained new firetrucks, and many counties upgraded other equipment with Homeland Security and fire grant funding, according to county officials.

In Charleston, Fire Chief Johnny Stokes said Homeland Security funded a 21-foot rescue boat for the town's police and fire departments.

"We can respond anywhere" in the district, Chief Stokes said. "The boat is considered a regional boat."

Troy Spence, Bradley County Emergency Management Agency director, said his county was focusing on establishing communication between multiple agencies in the region.

"We had to concentrate on how we fit into things for the whole district," Mr. Spence said.

"In my opinion, we have enhanced the county and the district," he said.

McMinn County EMA Director Betty Hamby said Homeland Security funding allowed the purchase of hazardous materials equipment, an air purifying system, decontamination equipment and communication upgrades.

She said little of the 2005 funding has been spent but is planned for a joint information-sharing system for the district's counties and communications software to provide a state-to-county information link.

Fire grant and Homeland Security funding has helped smaller counties update old equipment and broaden their role in the region, officials said.

Sequatchie County EMA Director Rusty Cheatham said Homeland Security and fire grant funding allowed the purchase of a response truck, a 28-foot mass-casualty trailer for the district and new firetrucks for some volunteer departments.

"It's given us equipment so we're prepared for just about anything now," Mr. Cheatham said.

Rhea County EMA Director Billy Cranfield said last year's $317,680 fire grant helped fund 150 sets of turnout gear and 44 self-contained breathing apparatus systems for the county's 172 volunteer firefighters.

"We always had to use the hand-me-downs from other counties," Mr. Cranfield said.

Rhea County Sheriff Mike Neal said Homeland Security funding paid for a mobile communications trailer for district backup and updates for the county's communication system that had parts that were 20 to 30 years old.

Bledsoe County EMA director Paul Putnam said Homeland Security funded "a fantastic communications system" and replaced outdated handheld radios.

"It's done wonders in our county for preparedness," Mr. Putnam said. "And fire grants have advanced our fire departments by about 10 years."

Decatur Fire Chief Eddie Jewell said the town's volunteer fire department bought a new fire truck with a fire grant that could help Decatur improve its ISO rating.

That could possibly lower homeowners' fire insurance rates, Chief Jewell said. He said Meigs County EMA Director Tony Finnell was able to purchase a similar truck for the county through fire grant funding.

But expected cuts to the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program has Mr. Shipokowski and county officials worried.

"Tennessee relies very heavily on volunteer fire departments throughout the state," Mr. Shipkowski said. Cuts to the program hurt volunteer fire departments, he said.

In Marion County, Sequatchie, Tenn., Fire Chief Ryan Meeks agreed. He said his department used 2005 fire grant funding to replace a 40-year-old truck that was costing $5,000 to $6,000 a year just to maintain.

"If it weren't for the grants that are out there, we wouldn't be able to survive," Chief Meeks said. "If it weren't for the grants, we'd be in the stone age."