City board hears benefits of Homeland Security funding for fire department

Veal, who addressed the board at the request of Mayor John Holden, said that Homeland Security funds were responsible for $635,692 worth of equipment, vehicles and training to date.

"That is just the 2002 through 2006 money," said Veal. "We still have the '07, '08 and '09 funds to spend. That will be $937,855 - almost $1 million - worth of equipment with Homeland Security funds. If we didn't have it, I don't know where that money would come from."

Veal said the fire department currently has first responders trained in Hazardous Materials, High Angle Rope Rescue and Confined Space Rescue. The department also offers a fan program for residents when temperatures rise, with fans donated by the Red Cross for those who have trouble cooling their homes throughout the summer months and a smoke-detector program with donations from Wal-Mart and Lowes. The DFD also offers the Vials of Life program, which provides emergency medical information on residents in the home in a special place where First Responders can look for it and a GPS service to record the location of storm shelters.

"As we know, when the tornadoes hit the Millsfield area, there was just flat ground," said Veal. "No trees, no mailboxes. If you are trapped in your storm shelter and we know you are at (an address), we may not be able to find that address."

Veal said the GPS system works on coordinates so responders will be able to locate recorded storm shelters no matter what happens to the landscape surrounding them.

Residents interested in the fan, smoke detectors, Vials of Life or GPS programs may find out more information by contacting the Dyersburg Fire Department.

Veal also updated members on two grants being applied for by the city to provide diesel exhaust systems to two firehouses and a new fire station for the Dyersburg area.

The first grant in the amount of $112,000, will fund diesel exhaust fans for fire houses one and three in Dyersburg. The second, a grant for $1.5 million, will fund a new fire station on Mall Boulevard to amend the overlapping second and third districts.

"We can apply for $1.5 million as easily as we can apply for $500,000," said Veal. "If we don't get it, someone else will. So we are going to apply for it and if we get it, we get it. If not, nothing is lost."

Alderman Lewis Norman asked Veal about a partnership between the DFD and the 911 Board to construct a storage building. Veal said the fire department approached the 911 board concerning the building and the project looks favorable.

Alderman Bob Kirk asked Veal if Homeland Security funding could be applied to a new fire station, but Veal said Homeland Security funds are for equipment only.

Alderman Charles McCright asked Veal if there is a possibility to gain stimulus money as part of the grant. Veal said the grants sought by the department include stimulus funds.

Kirk commended Veal on the job the fire department does each day within the city.

Also at the meeting, aldermen:

* approved applying for the Safety Partners Loss Control Matching Grant Program. Kirk moved to allow Human Resources Director Sue Teague to apply for the grant again this fiscal year, with Kevin Chaney adding a second. The motion passed unanimously by the aldermen present. All board members were present at the meeting, except for Shannon Walker.

* approved the minutes to the June 22 and June 26 meetings of the full board. Alderman Bart Williams moved to approve the minutes of the two meetings, with McCright adding a second. The motion passed unanimously.

Only Norman and McCright spoke during aldermen reports.

* Norman requested that Holden update the board on when the street committee meeting will meet to address paving streets within the city with the $250,000 set aside in the 2008-2009 budget. Holden said the committee plans to meet sometime this week. Holden also reported that work on Frank Maynard is set to begin this Wednesday.

* McCright introduced a Dyersburg native, Albert "Charlie" Mosby, who is in town doing research on life in the area in the 1930s and 1940s. Mosby, a member of the Bruce High School Class of 1958, currently serves on the faculty of Smith College in New Hampton, Mass., where he teaches philosophy.

Mosley, who is doing research on records from the old penal farm and documenting some family genealogy, said that the records in the Courthouse need to be filed and indexed.

The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.