Protective equipment available to local employers

By Nathan Solheim
Assistant Metro Editor
09-10-2004

Free protective equipment for employees of local businesses to use in the event of a chemical weapons accident or incident at the Anniston Army Depot will start punching in for work next week. Calhoun County emergency management officials will start notifying businesses by mail that the equipment for employees will be available at the CSEPP training and distribution center at McClellan. The effort comes more than one year after the Army activated its chemical weapons incinerator. The equipment, which includes protective hoods, air filters and shelter-in-place kits, has been available to residents for the past year, but not to people who are employed at work places near the depot. While some workers may have some of the equipment for use when they are at home, they now will receive protective equipment at work if their employers choose to get it. Long, addressing the Calhoun County Commission on Thursday, said the distribution is the next phase of the county’s efforts to protect residents. “This falls in the same category as a residence,” said Dan Long, Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency director. “Except these people are working.” The equipment for businesses comes from what remains of residential equipment. Over the past year, a county contractor has distributed thousands of pieces of equipment to area residents. About 8,000 filters and 8,000 hoods remain. More than 25,000 kits have not been given out. Long said he has funding to pay for any extra equipment that may be required if remaining supplies don’t last. “It’s part of the system of continuing to enhance the system to protect the public,” Long said. “They wanted to get the citizens and then work out from there.” Business owners will be given equipment depending on their proximity to Anniston Army Depot. Those closest, or in the Pink Zone, can receive hoods, filters and kits. The EMA is asking for businesses to designate a representative agent to go to the center and get equipment and training in its use. If the business qualifies for hoods, Long said, each employee who wants one must get training at the distribution center. Commission Chairman Eli Henderson urged businesses to participate. “If (workers) have equipment, it’s at the house,” Henderson said. ‘Now it can be at the workplace.” In other business: - The county’s recycling program received a $2,000 grant from Legacy, an environmental preservation program with the goal of improving environmental education. Jennifer Yates, the county’s recycling coordinator, said the money would be used to pay for brochures promoting the county’s recycling program. - Former Jacksonville State University basketball coach Bill Jones asked the commission’s support for the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. Jones asked if plaques of inductees could be displayed on walls inside the commission building. Commissioners lauded the idea of the hall of fame, but were noncommittal on Jones’ request. - Commissioners named Chris Page to the Anniston-Calhoun County Library Board of Directors. The next Calhoun County Commission meeting will be 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at the county administration building.

About Nathan Solheim

Assistant Metro Editor Nathan Solheim is Minnesota native and a University of Georgia graduate.