Cherokee County is set to receive over $60,000 to spend on homeland security planning, training, exercises, and equipment. Under a plan approved by Governor Bob Riley, every Alabama county will receive funding to improve its ability to prevent, protect, and respond to terrorism-related activities.
“The safety of all Alabamians is our highest priority,” said Governor Riley. “All 67 counties in Alabama will receive homeland security grants this year. We work with every county to help each make important improvements in their homeland security capabilities and county programs.”
The Cherokee County proposal, agreed to by county, municipality, and public safety officials throughout the county, requests the purchase of personal protective equipment, physical security equipment, and a public warning system to assist in county homeland security efforts.
“The homeland security grant money has provided Cherokee County emergency responders with much needed personal protective equipment that will enable us to respond to any type of chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) incident. We will also purchase a warning system and surveillance equipment to protect critical infrastructure,” said Beverly Daniel, Cherokee County Homeland Security Point of Contact and EMA Director. “Since we are a small rural county with residents who depend completely on volunteer responders, the homeland security grant money has provided us an opportunity for equipment and training that would have been impossible otherwise.”
In June 2006, Alabama received the highest possible effectiveness rating for a state homeland security program, as determined by the US Department of Homeland Security and a panel of over 100 experts from around the country. “With the continued strong cooperation and leadership from our counties, we will only get better,” said Director Walker.
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