Anniston Star
January 23. 2003

County commission to consider contract for preparedness equipment

By Nathan Solheim
Star Staff Writer
01-23-2003

The Calhoun County Commission could award a multi-million dollar contract for the Citizens Protection Program during today's meeting.

The program is designed to provide protective measures for local residents in case of a chemical weapons accident at the Anniston Army Depot. The incinerator is scheduled to begin destroying those weapons this spring.

If the commission acts on the measure, residents could receive protective devices or shelter-in-place kits in the next couple of months.

Jacksonville State University's Institute for Emergency Preparedness, which reviewed the bids on behalf of the County Commission, recommended Arlington, Va.-based Centech Group Inc. for the contract.

JSU's recommendation does not signify a bid award, however.

"There's no commitment made to this company yet," said Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Burney.

Local emergency management officials met with Centech representatives Wednesday to discuss the company's proposal.

Barry Cox, director of JSU's Institute for Emergency Preparedness, said each proposal was carefully scrutinized to ensure it met the county's specifications.

Cox's staff looked at items such as the company's training personnel and equipment recommendations. They company also had to be able to distribute materials quickly.

The exact cost of the contract will not be known until later this morning, and only if the contract is awarded today.

"There's always contract negotiation in a bid of this size," Cox said.

The successful bidder will be responsible for distributing such safety devices as protective hoods, recirculation filters that remove chemical agents from selected homes and shelter-in-place kits. The company also will be responsible for training residents and for public information campaigns related to the Citizens Protection Program.

"We're working hard to get things moving as quickly as possible," Burney said. "We're not interested in delay; we're interested in safety."

Calhoun County Commission Chairman James A. "Pappy" Dunn said he has confidence in any recommendation given to the commission for consideration.

The commission received nine responses to its request for proposals.

"I feel that with the type of research they've done and making the analysis of the total protection system, that they would come up with a good recommendation," Dunn said.

The Calhoun County Commission meets at 10 a.m. today at the County Administration Building on Noble Street.