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Photo
by: Lt. Jon Hardwick |
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Georgia
Governor Sonny Perdue shakes hands with one of
Georgia's Fire Chiefs shortly talking to the Georgia
Fire Chief's Association about increase Government
Grants to Georgia's Fire Departments. |
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ST.
SIMONS ISLAND - In a message similar to one given to the
Governor’s Emergency Management Conference a week
earlier, Gov. Sonny Perdue addressed the Georgia
Association of Fire Chiefs on Monday May 5, 2003 at the
Sea Palms Conference Center.
Perdue
promised increased funding to Georgia’s fire
Departments, which are now components of homeland
security. Perdue said, “Actually you’ve always been in
that department. We’ve just decided to call it
that.”
In
case of any terrorist attack in Georgia, our fire
departments will be among the first in. Georgia will
receive more than $30 million in federal funds to
prepare. Since the September 11 attack, Georgia fire
departments have had to expand their role in preparing for
any additional attacks. “You will and you must be
a part of the planning process,” Perdue said. An
additional $37.5 million in federal funds will be directed
to identify local needs in the state. “The Georgia
Emergency Management Agency remains the lead agency for
the state as it builds a network and makes changes to deal
with new threats,” said Perdue. Planning and
training are essential for responding to such threats.
Perdue
continued to discuss the changing role firefighters have
in Georgia. Perdue said he understands the
difficulty firefighters have in adjusting to that
role. He compared the role to that of “converting
an ocean liner to that of a battleship.” In
Georgia, it appears that individual fire departments are
increasing training to cope with additional threats and
changes taking place around them. Not only does
Georgia have the one of the largest airports in the world
but home of the Federal Law Enforcement Training agency in
Brunswick, over 4 army bases, 1 nuclear Navy Base, and
other facilities that deserve special attention and
planning are located throughout Georgia.
Members
of the chiefs association have said that local fire
departments have yet to see any funds, which could provide
overtime for trucks while other personnel are undertaking
training. The funds which Governor Perdue mentioned
($37.5 million) would be a great shot in the arm for the
additional needed training in Georgia.
Perdue
further promised the fire chiefs association that the
state would not siphon off the money designated for
them. 80 percent of the funds are earmarked for
first responder teams at the local level. Georgia’s
first responders would be among the first to respond to
any terrorist attack within its borders.
See
also:
The
Brunswick News: "Perdue
promises funds to fire departments"
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