Commissioners approve application for Duke Energy safety grant to buy radios, monitors and a smart board

Henry County commissioners approved submitting an application for a Duke Energy safety grant that the presenter said would total $9,000 and fund weather alert radios, personal voltage monitors for responders and a smart board for the emergency operations center.

Scott Roy told the board Duke Energy had again offered a safety grant to communities it serves and that the county’s application would propose purchasing weather alert radios for needy families, personal voltage monitors for local responders and a smart board to enhance the emergency operations center; he described the total request as $9,000.

A motion to approve applying for the grant passed, 3-0. Commissioners asked staff to obtain a grant number and complete the application. The board did not authorize the purchase at this meeting; the action approved only the submission of the application.

County staff said the radios would provide a redundant emergency communication method for residents without other means and that the personal voltage monitors would help first responders detect voltage present on downed power lines during storm response. The smart board was described as an enhancement to the county’s emergency operations center.

Commissioners instructed staff to follow normal grant acceptance and procurement procedures if the county is awarded the money.