Marshall County to pursue Coast Guard port-security grant for underwater drone

Mr. Curtner told the Fiscal Court he will pursue a FEMA Port Security Grant administered by the U.S. Coast Guard to obtain an underwater drone equipped with a grabber arm for the county's rescue squad.

"I'm going to pursue trying to get one of these underwater drones with the grabber arm," Mr. Curtner said, adding that the application window is tight: "they only give you like 30 days from start to finish on these grants." He described two models he had identified and said the equipment would be a "great asset" for mutual-aid and rescue operations in the area.

The court moved, seconded and voted to authorize staff to apply for and sign grant documents for the Coast Guard port-security funding opportunity.

Court members noted that one Christian organization sometimes provides similar equipment in times of need and that mutual aid currently comes from surrounding counties or Tennessee; the drone would add a locally based capability if awarded.