Anniston Star
January 24., 2003

Commission accepts bid for protective hoods, gear

By Nathan Solheim
Star Staff Writer
01-24-2003

Calhoun County commissioners approved a contract for the Citizen's Protection Program Thursday, clearing the way for distribution of protective hoods and other chemical weapons preparedness equipment.

Commissioners have been asking various federal agencies for the emergency preparedness equipment - and the money to pay for it - for much of the past two years.

The Citizen's Protection Program is designed to provide protective measures for local residents in case of a chemical weapons accident at the Anniston Army Depot. The Army is scheduled to begin destroying the weapons this spring.

Commissioners awarded the approximately $14 million contract to Arlington, Va.-based Centech Group, Inc. The contract is contingent upon the commission receiving the remaining $5 million allocated for the Citizen's Protection Program.

"This is probably one of the most important dates in all of Calhoun County history, and more particularly Wellborn," said Commissioner Eli Henderson. "We've always been concerned about an accident. If we ever hear that whooping sound that means an accident, it's good to know there's a protective hood in the car."

A few details, including legal reviews, are expected to be ironed out over the next two weeks, before the contract is finalized at the commission's next meeting, set for Feb. 13.

Centech then will have 30-60 days to distribute equipment and begin training residents.

Centech also hired Preston Gray, a former candidate for state senator, as general manager of the project. Gray will oversee the company's local operations.

The program will provide protective hoods, shelter-in-place kits and recirculation filters for some residents. Centech also will provide training and institute a public-information campaign to help educate residents about use of the equipment. Centech will be based in a building near the Post Exchange at McClellan.

For commissioners, Thursday's development signifies the end of a long and sometimes-bitter struggle to get preparedness funding from federal agencies.

"I've often been befuddled by the negative comments when we were asking for things we felt the people needed to be properly protected," said County Administrator Ken Joiner.

Now the commission will turn to other preparedness issues related to the incinerator.

In a statement released by the commission after its meeting, commissioners pressured the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Army to continue funding preparedness mechanisms. The statement specifically listed overpressurization of schools as a priority.

"It's a situation where if there might be an incident, the children might be at school and they might not," said Commission Chairman James A. "Pappy" Dunn. "Let's make the assumption they are; the parents won't be there and they'd have no way to get home. That was a positive way to protect the children."

Gray said the equipment will be given out according to zone, starting with the pink zone, the zone containing residents closest to the incinerator. Those receiving hoods will have to fill out a medical questionnaire, he said.

"Our mission is to make this as user-friendly as possible," Gray said.

Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Burney said his group wants to move quickly to get the equipment and training to Calhoun County residents.

Centech was recommended to the commission by Jacksonville State University's Institute of Domestic Preparedness, which reviewed the bid proposals on behalf of the commission.

"In our judgment, no other company met all the specifications contained in the request for proposals," said Barry Cox, director of the institute.