Warren County Emergency Management is upgrading its ability to detect hazardous chemicals, thanks to a grant from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
Warren Fiscal Court, in a 5-0 vote Tuesday with Third District Magistrate Tony Payne absent, approved the purchase of a First Defender Chemical Detection Unit that will replace a 13-year-old unit.
Travis Puckett, deputy emergency management director for the county, said the new device is being purchased with funds from a $50,000 Homeland Security grant. He said the new device will enhance emergency responders’ ability to evaluate threats. “It uses a laser beam that will identify chemicals through solid containers,” Puckett said. “It eliminates the risk of first responders being exposed to these chemicals.”
Puckett said the mobile device, which costs $49,700, can identify more than 4,500 chemicals.