The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted at its Sept. 1 regular meeting to approve a $725,272 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Henry County Fire Department.
According to county officials, the money will be used to purchase a direct source exhaust capturing system that aids in the elimination of diesel engine emission from the inside of the county’s 16 fire stations. The exhaust systems will help prevent occupation cancer as well as control exposure that aggravates chronic lung diseases like asthma and COPD.
Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Burnette said this action will update all the fire department’s current stations and he also explained how beneficial the project is to the health and safety of Henry County firefighters.
“The direct source exhaust capturing system hooks directly to the exhaust on an apparatus, thus never allowing harmful exhaust fumes to enter the apparatus bay,” said Burnette. “Firefighters are exposed to many kinds of hazards throughout their career, however, exhaust fumes in the apparatus bay should not be one of them. Through this award, we now have the ability to eliminate this hazard and provide them with a healthier environment.”
In other business, the commissioners approved the following resolutions at the Sept. 1 meeting:
Accepting a $500 contribution from Tanger Outlet Center in Locust Grove for the Henry County Police Department.
Accepting $3,637 in CARES Act reimbursement funds from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office to provide materials and equipment for voting.
Awarding a $309,542 bid to Fire Systems Inc. for a fire sprinkler system at the Nash Farm Cultural Arts Building.
A budget amendment and $455,890 supplemental agreement with Moffatt and Nichol for the design of the Hwy. 81 widening.
Hwy 81 widening, PLEASE have sideways installed the entire length of the widening project.
Please dont waste monies on the side walks to no where.
“sidewalks to no where”? Nowhere or no place. However, consider the health benefits of a 7 mile sidewalk from Bethany Church to Mcdonough Square. Consider ever small business and large shopping area that will have increased foot traffic for new and existing customers. Place a few bicycle racks in the square to allow less automobile Co2 and increased foot traffic. There are numerous advantages to every business and residence who live within a mile of Hwy 81. There is never a waste of money to incease the health and wellbeing of a Henry County resident .