Reply #59: Homeland security money goes a long way in Ohio, West Virginia

[seemslikeadream]

Sorry I just couldn't pass up that headline


Sunday, November 14, 2004 — Time: 12:28:36 AM EST


Homeland security money goes a long way in Ohio, West Virginia

By EVAN BEVINS


PARKERSBURG - Tens of millions of homeland security dollars flow into West Virginia and Ohio each year.

While most of that funding is earmarked specifically for preparedness against terrorist attacks, officials find they can stretch their money to acquire resources that also provide other benefits.
"The equipment can be utilized for much more than just terrorism," said Neal Sharp, director of the Regional Response Program under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.

The state brought in a regional response team, whose training and equipment was funded primarily with homeland security money, to deal with an Oct. 28 chemical spill in Huntington. The incident was not terrorist-related, but it was a large-scale event, with 2,000 people evacuated from their homes.

Equipment and vehicles for a similar Parkersburg-based regional response team were presented last month. The two trailers and decontamination equipment cost the Department of Homeland Security more than $1.5 million and could be used in flooding situations or chemical spills like the one in Huntington, in addition to biological terror attacks, officials said.

Sharp said Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has visited West Virginia twice recently and praised the state for its approach.

more
http://www.newsandsentinel.com/news/story/1114202004_new02_homeland.asp