(Montgomery, AL) June 5, 2004—Winston County homeland security officials met Wednesday with Alabama Homeland Security Director Jim Walker to lay out their spending plan for grant dollars received through the fiscal year 2004 State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Winston County is set to receive over $75,000 to spend on homeland security planning, training, exercises, and equipment. Under a plan approved by Governor Bob Riley, every Alabama county will receive funding to improve its ability to prevent, protect, and respond to terrorism-related activities.

“Governor Riley has made the security of Alabamians a cornerstone of his administration,” said Homeland Security Director Walker, “and the infusion of these funds into our counties will have a positive impact on their ability to protect and serve the citizens of Alabama.”

The Winston County proposal, agreed to by county, municipality, and public safety officials throughout the county, requests the purchase of chemical protective suits, decontamination equipment, and chemical monitoring equipment to assist in county homeland security efforts.

“This will give Winston County a first response vehicle in case there is an emergency with weapons of mass destruction or other terrorist related incidents,” said Tom Grubs, Winston County EMA Director. “This homeland security grant money will definitely benefit the county in providing citizens with a much needed response vehicle. In the past Winston County has had to rely on other counties to provide this service for us.”

“It is fundamental to the building block process we are developing in Alabama that county leaders determine how to utilize these funds in their counties,” said Director Walker, “and the state Department of Homeland Security will work with the federal Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C. to insure Winston County’s spending plan is approved as quickly as possible.”