Wednesday, July 17, 2002
By VICTOR A. HILL, Staff Writer
Marco Island firefighters have brand new weapons to combat terrorism, but they don't come with ammunition.
The department received several high-tech gadgets last week to detect potentially dangerous chemicals. Marco shared a $173,000 portion of a far larger $9.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice with two other fire districts in Collier County — Naples and North Naples.
The departments make up a district response team for terrorism in Collier County, and equipment from the grant was split among the three departments. Radiation detectors, laptop computers, electronic chemical detectors and a decontamination system are some of the items the team received.
Marco received about $71,000 worth of equipment, Fire Chief Michael Murphy said.
"But that's just the first step.
We may get $50,000 more for the district," he said.
It took six months to get the equipment as state officials worked to ensure every agency received the same types of equipment. That means firefighters and rescue workers from more than one department can work more efficiently together at emergency scenes, Murphy said.
Unlike the Geiger counters from the days of the Cold War, the new radiation detectors are far more sophisticated, he said.
Firefighters also have radiation detectors that resemble pagers.
The pagers are worn at hazardous scenes, and they sound an alarm if radiation levels go above a certain limit, Division Chief Chris Byrne said.
Chemical detectors will be used to quickly determine a suspect chemical's composition using computer software and data from around the world.
A mobile weather station was also included with the equipment.
The largest piece of equipment the department received is a mobile casualty decontamination system. The system is stored in a trailer and transforms into a decontamination shelter at scenes involving chemical spills. It essentially allows people exposed to chemicals to be disinfected, Murphy said.
The system augments the equipment the department already has.
"This equipment is specifically designed for hazardous materials, and Marco has (a team) proven in aiding residents in times of need," he said.
Thirteen of Marco's 25 firefighters are certified to deal with hazardous chemicals.
Murphy is chairman of a state committee on terrorism that worked to get federal money long before the Sept. 11 attacks.
Prior to Sept. 11, Florida was one of only two states approved for grant money from the Department of Justice, and one of only four states with a plan to deal with terrorism.