Grant to help detect dangerous chemicals
When acetylene tanks caught fire at the Hughes Christensen facility in The Woodlands last August, hundreds of people in the surrounding area had to evacuate until firefighters could determine it was safe to return to businesses and homes.
Now firefighters with The Woodlands Fire Department will be able to more safely detect any possible dangerous chemicals in the air, by using a grant worth nearly $31,000 from the federal Department of Homeland Security for chemical detection equipment. The $30,935 grant is part of the Department of Homeland Security's 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. The equipment is used to identify poisonous gases, solids and liquids that could be used for weapons of mass destruction, chemical warfare agents and explosives.
TWFD Chief Alan Benson said his department was fortunate to receive the grant and the money will be used to "continue to further the quality of protection" provided in The Woodlands and Montgomery County. "This state-of-the-art chemical detection equipment will help to ensure the safety of citizens and firefighters alike," Benson said.U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, said the grants make state-of-the-art equipment available to smaller departments.
"This funding will help ensure that our local firefighters have the equipment they need to identify hazardous chemicals in emergency situations," Brady said. The DHS accepted applications for the grants from April 25 through June 29. According to the DHS website, the program offers equipment in several categories, including personal protective equipment (PPE); thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools, chemical and biological detection tools, information technology and risk management tools and communications interoperability equipment.
Of the 3,709 CEDAP applications submitted, only 1,853 received the award, according to the DHS website, with 75 percent of those going to law enforcement agencies. The remainder is divided among fire departments, emergency medical service, emergency management and public safety. Other than TWFD, the nearest agencies to receive the grants are the Precinct 4 Constable's office at Point Blank in San Jacinto County and the Angelina County Sheriff's Office in Lufkin. Sarah Stephens, Brady's press secretary, said TWFD officials did not request Brady's help.
"Grants are very competitive in nature, so it's more kudos to the department for securing it on their own," Stephens said. Stephens said to her knowledge, no other Montgomery County agencies applied for the grant. In a released statement, Brady said more than $30 million in federal funds was provided to law enforcement and emergencies nationwide.
Source: The Villager by Jamie Nash
Now firefighters with The Woodlands Fire Department will be able to more safely detect any possible dangerous chemicals in the air, by using a grant worth nearly $31,000 from the federal Department of Homeland Security for chemical detection equipment. The $30,935 grant is part of the Department of Homeland Security's 2007 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program. The equipment is used to identify poisonous gases, solids and liquids that could be used for weapons of mass destruction, chemical warfare agents and explosives.
TWFD Chief Alan Benson said his department was fortunate to receive the grant and the money will be used to "continue to further the quality of protection" provided in The Woodlands and Montgomery County. "This state-of-the-art chemical detection equipment will help to ensure the safety of citizens and firefighters alike," Benson said.U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, said the grants make state-of-the-art equipment available to smaller departments.
"This funding will help ensure that our local firefighters have the equipment they need to identify hazardous chemicals in emergency situations," Brady said. The DHS accepted applications for the grants from April 25 through June 29. According to the DHS website, the program offers equipment in several categories, including personal protective equipment (PPE); thermal imaging, night vision and video surveillance tools, chemical and biological detection tools, information technology and risk management tools and communications interoperability equipment.
Of the 3,709 CEDAP applications submitted, only 1,853 received the award, according to the DHS website, with 75 percent of those going to law enforcement agencies. The remainder is divided among fire departments, emergency medical service, emergency management and public safety. Other than TWFD, the nearest agencies to receive the grants are the Precinct 4 Constable's office at Point Blank in San Jacinto County and the Angelina County Sheriff's Office in Lufkin. Sarah Stephens, Brady's press secretary, said TWFD officials did not request Brady's help.
"Grants are very competitive in nature, so it's more kudos to the department for securing it on their own," Stephens said. Stephens said to her knowledge, no other Montgomery County agencies applied for the grant. In a released statement, Brady said more than $30 million in federal funds was provided to law enforcement and emergencies nationwide.
Source: The Villager by Jamie Nash
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