Upstate to get homeland security grants

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The county, the state's largest, will receive more than $845,000 for its regional chemical, ordnance, biological and radiological team, a new urban rescue team, grants to local agencies, and extra funding for the emergency operations center. The COBRA team is one of four in the state.

Also, Greenville and the state's other 45 counties will receive a mass decontamination unit, to be established at a centrally located fire station, said SLED Chief Robert Stewart.

Agencies in Pickens County will receive $124,537, its share of $5 million earmarked for local agencies based on $50,000 per county, plus additional funds linked to population.

Those in Oconee and Anderson will get $94,561 and $161,539, respectively. Laurens County will get $96,817.

"What this new money does is equip our local law enforcement and emergency first responders with the resources and flexibility they need to do their jobs once that happens," Sanford said.

Congress authorized the aid to state and local governments in legislation enacted this spring.

Most of the money — $29.6 million — will go to local first responders, whom Sanford called "front-line troops" in protecting South Carolina from terrorist attacks.

Greenville Police Chief Willie Johnson said the announcement "means that President Bush has delivered on the message he gave hundreds of police officers in March 2002 at the Peace Center when he promised there would be funds for the first responders — police, fire and emergency medical personnel."

Johnson said the grants will enable emergency personnel to have the protective equipment they need in the event of a terrorist action, from gear to communications equipment to training.

"It means we're going to be better able to protect our community," he said.

Stewart said the first responders funding will be allocated by five-member committees in each county. The panels will consist of law enforcement, fire and emergency management and medical officials.

The new Urban Search and Rescue teams will be set up in Greenville, Charleston and Horry counties. The main state unit, in Columbia, will receive additional funding for equipment and training.

Scot Wendelken, Greenville County emergency management director, said the additional money is welcome, but in light of needs, "it will take a lot of work to figure out the best place to use it."

Another $3.2 million was earmarked for critical infrastructure protection, and other funds will be spent on training and strategic security planning.

The Port of Charleston will receive $5.1 million for security from a separate grant, and another $5 million will develop a fixed radiological detection system in the Charleston area.

Dan Hoover covers politics and public policy issues. He can be reached at 298-4883.