As the article pointed out, the city of Anniston has received $1.3 million during the past year to purchase a state of the art HAZMAT fire truck, acquire level A protective clothing, and obtain training for the city’s firefighters and the area’s first responders. With the $445,500 HAZMAT vehicle now delivered, we are well on the way to being able to respond in the event of a chemical accident at the Depot or any HAZMAT disaster along our many roads, bridges and railroad lines.
Working together, city of Anniston officials, the Calhoun County Commission, and our local EMA sought this HAZMAT vehicle, as well as the protective equipment and first responder training. These items were included in the county’s annual budget submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for many years, but the requests were denied.
Understanding the need for our community to be able to respond quickly and effectively to a potential incident, Sen. Richard Shelby used his influence and made sure that the funding measures were approved. Once again, this community owes Sen. Shelby a debt of gratitude for his vision and leadership. We are now better prepared to deal with any incident that might occur as we strive to rid our community of an aging chemical weapons stockpile at AAD. We are very fortunate and extremely proud to have Shelby representing our interests in Washington.
Calhoun County Commission
Robert W. Downing, Chairman
James A. Dunn, Commissioner
James Eli Henderson, Commissioner
J.D. Hess, Commissioner
Rudy Abbott, Commissioner