The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office will receive three portable radios through the third annual round of State Homeland Security Grant program funds.
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The Region H Homeland Security Oversight Committee (HSOC), one of nine committees covering the entire state, serves the northwest Missouri counties of Daviess, Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway and Worth. The Committee recommended over $485,000 worth of service contracts and equipment purchases to the Governor appointed Homeland Security Advisory Committee (HSAC) and received word on May 6 that all projects were approved.
Projects to benefit the entire region include the following: region-wide equipment assessment and mapping; preparation of a technical interoperable communications plan; gateway switch training, preparation of interoperable communications goals and objectives; mass sheltering coordinator; emergency services training coordinator; safe schools planning; disaster supplies for emergency medical services in each of the 15 counties; one mobile radio to the Regional Mass Casualty Trailer; two mobile radios for the Region H HAZMAT communications trailer; six sets of body armor for Region H HAZMAT law enforcement support branch.
The main purpose of the allocation is to address the preparedness and response of all emergency service providers within the region. A regional approach to homeland security not only eliminates unnecessary duplication of services, but also provides the greatest return on investment for limited federal funding.
The Region H HSOC received 32 requests for funding from local jurisdictions around northwest Missouri, totaling more than $577,000. Of those requests, the committee was able to recommend at least partial funding for each eligible project.
The selections, which were made at the HSOC’s January 2009 meeting, were based on six funding priorities set by the Missouri Office of Homeland Security: Strengthen Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) Detection and Response, Implement Regional Collaboration and Response through MERIS and Technology, Strengthening Interoperable Communications Capabilities at Regional and State levels, Sustain and Enhance CBRNE Detection and Response, Strengthen Medial Surge and Mass Prophylaxis Capabilities, Strengthen Information Sharing and Collaboration Capabilities.
Recommended projects include continued funding for a mass shelter coordinator for the Midland Chapter of the American Red Cross, continued funding for the Region H Emergency Services Training Coordinator, funding to support a Technical Interoperable Communications Plan, and a wide range of portable and mobile radios that improve communications not only within a local jurisdiction, but also between jurisdictions and departments at a regional level. The majority of funds are recommended to be used to improve interoperable communications throughout northwest Missouri.