Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 540
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@co.collin.tx.us

August 26, 2003

CDC increases grant funding for Collin County’s Homeland Security Department

(McKinney, TX) - Collin County’s Homeland Security Department will receive an increase in grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the upcoming fiscal year. Since the creation of the department nearly one year ago, the county has taken great steps towards the improvement of security and bioterrorism preparedness. The latest grant, which is $845,368, will assist in the continuation of these efforts.

Under the direction of the Texas Department of Health, the homeland security department successfully encumbered $743,425 in funding for the current fiscal year, which will end on August 31st. With this funding, the county created a bioterrorism team consisting of a bioterrorism coordinator, a nurse epidemiologist, and an information technology specialist as well as support staff. Over the past year, this group, under the direction of the county’s homeland security director, created an emergency preparedness plan and has been able to research and report on various health conditions such as West Nile and Shigella. The department also created a Smallpox vaccination plan that would allow health and emergency personnel to vaccinate all residents within a matter of days.

The additional funding will assist with educational initiatives, while continuing the services already provided.

“It is simply amazing to step back and take a look at what all has happened in the past year,” explains Collin County Judge Ron Harris, who is also the county’s emergency manager. “Under the leadership of Kelley Stone, the homeland security department has been proactive in educating the public, as well as other localities, about emergency preparedness. They’ve also developed plans that will help us better manage emergency situations. A recent exercise drill at our Emergency Operations Center proves that we are ready to respond to almost any type of incident.”

In addition to the CDC award, Collin County is also slated to receive a base grant of $192,401.00 and a regional allocation from the North Central Council of Governments in the amount of $204,149.00 for a total amount of $396,550.00 from the Texas Domestic Preparedness Assessment funded by the Office of Domestic Preparedness.

“Eight governments within Collin County, including Plano, McKinney, Blue Ridge, Frisco, Celina, Wylie and Allen, are meeting monthly to utilize these funds to efficiently prepare for a regional response with the county,” says Homeland Security Director Kelley Stone. “Collin County was awarded the COG funding after demonstrating a collaborative one voice response to the organization.”

Funding from the Office of Domestic Preparedness will assist in preparation against a terrorist response that may involve a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive agent. Stone, in assistance with Collin County Fire Marshal Steve Deffibaugh, is coordinating the purchase of equipment, medical supplies and personal protective equipment for the identified personnel throughout the County.

As a continued part of the Office of Domestic Preparedness grant, in collaboration with the City of Dallas, Dallas County, Denton, Rockwall, and Kaufman counties, Collin County is expected to share approximately $10,398,583 to improve the regional response in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear emergency.

“These grants help first responders to be better prepared in dealing with acts of terrorism at the local level,” says Stone.

“It’s our mission to keep the residents of Collin County safe in the event of an emergency. Because of the cooperation we have both in our team and with our public partners, we will continue to be proactive in emergency preparedness.”

###