Anniston Star
August 1, 2003

Cleburne County prepares to distribute protective materials

By J.Wes Yoder
Star Staff Writer
08-01-2003

HEFLIN

Cleburne County residents are next in line for boxes of sheet plastic, duct tape and scissors intended to protect them in the event of a chemical weapons emergency at the Anniston Army Depot.

The county commission recently authorized the county's Emergency Management Agency to solicit bids for the shelter-in-place kits, which could be made available by September.

"I'm pleased," said Commission Chairman Ryan Robertson. "Our residents are important to us, and we want to take care of them and give everybody a chance to take care of themselves."

Thursday, the Army announced that incineration of the depot's stockpile of chemical weapons will begin next week.

Cleburne County did not receive funding for the kits until June. But Steve Swafford, director of the Cleburne County EMA, said the materials are coming at an opportune time. Although there will be a period when the munitions are being burned and the protective plastic has not been delivered, Swafford predicts that a higher percentage of Cleburne County's residents will request kits than would have six months ago.

"Awareness will be at an all-time high," he said. "It's kind of like you sell more umbrellas on a cloudy day."

Swafford and the county are starting a publicity blitz to educate residents about the kits, which are free. Election-style signs and newspaper ads will alert people to check their mailboxes for a stamped card. Residents wanting a kit should fill out the card and drop it in the mail.

Unlike in Calhoun and Talladega counties, where residents have to drive to a distribution facility at McClellan, the Cleburne County EMA will have the kits shipped to all qualified homeowners for a Saturday delivery. The kits will include directions showing how the plastic and duct tape should seal windows and doors to protect against escaped nerve agent.

Swafford said it is unlikely that an emergency at the depot would create an emergency in Cleburne County. The winds would have to be strong to put Cleburne residents at risk. Even if such an event were to occur before the kits have been delivered, Swafford said, nerve agent dissipates quickly and Cleburne residents would be sufficiently protected by shutting their windows and doors and turning off the heat and air.