Joy Peterson posted on June 09, 2010 06:31
Rome, Ga. - Members of Floyd County’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) unit recently completed training and are ready to respond when called upon.
“We are an eight man team comprised of employees from the County Police Department, City Police Department and Sheriff’s Office,” said Captain Tom Ewing, Floyd County Police Department, SWAT team and bomb squad commander. “Our team members have been trained and are certified in SWAT, Clandestine and Hazardous Materials (HazMat) operations.”
The United States Department of Homeland Security, Preparedness Directorate, Office of Grants and Training approved the application and awarded grant funding to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency on behalf of the State of Georgia.
GEMA awarded the grant in the amount of $345,875.00 to the Floyd County Police Department to fund the CBNRE unit in March 2009.
The Rome and Floyd County Team will be available to respond to any major Chemical, Biological or Nuclear situation in area six (6) in Georgia. Area six (6) covers Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Cherokee, Coweta, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Haralson, Heard, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Walker, Whitfield.
“I am very proud of the officers that were selected from the Floyd County Police Department, Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and Rome Police Department to participate in the CBRNE Unit,” said Police Chief Bill Shiflett. “The unit has the potential to be involved in critical situations throughout our county and state. Our agencies were chosen by state officials because of their outstanding special operations units which are highly recognized in the state Georgia. “
Once called to a scene, the CBRNE unit will secure the scene; collect evidence and arrest parties involved.
“So far, we haven’t been called out, but we’re trained and ready,” said Ewing.