Homeland Security Grant Going to Boost County Communications

A just-announced Homeland Security grant will go to communications equipment and backup systems, Gloucester County officials said Thursday.

The $175,399 federal grant is aimed at improving the county's communications infrastructure, county officials said, and will fund equipment and programs designed to be used both in major events, as well as for emergency preparedness and general public safety.

“This grant funding allows us to continue to put equipment and protocols into place that are consistent with our regional strategy to respond to any large-scale disaster, whether caused by a terrorist attack, accident or natural disaster,” Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger said.

The money could go to a number of projects, including updates to the county's Global Connect software, communications equipment for the SWAT, bomb squad and hazardous materials teams or base stations for the county's backup dispatch site, Damminger said.

A group of officials, from hospital staff to to first responders, will weigh in on where the grant money should be spent, Damminger added.

Past Homeland Security grants have gone to purchase large equipment like SWAT vehicles and the bomb squad robot, field communications vehicles, personal protective equipment for first responders as well as the county's Roam Secure text messaging system.

“Gloucester County Emergency Response is constantly working with our public safety community and first responders to make sure we have the equipment, technology and training in place to handle any multitude of situations,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Giuseppe "Joe" Chila.