DHS helps fund anti-terrorism nuclear preparedness in Scottsdale
By Terrance Thornton | Digital Free Press
In the event of a nuclear terrorist threat or creation of weapon of mass destruction against a major metropolitan area in the United States — Scottsdale will be prepared.
Last week, Scottsdale City Council approved formal grant acceptance of $183,000 that is provided by the United States Department of Homeland Security, which among other things, trains both local police and fire departments in the event of a local, regional or national threat of nuclear proportions is made.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the grant, which is part of the ‘Securing the Cities’ program, seeks to accomplish three tasks:
- to enhance regional capabilities to detect, identify and interdict nuclear materials;
- to guide the coordination of federal, state, local and tribal entities in their roles; and
- to encourage participants to sustain base nuclear detection program over time.
City officials report the STC program is a five-year effort funded through the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office at DHS.
“The STC Program is a regional effort geared towards enhancing radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction (Preventative Radiological and Nuclear Detection) capabilities in Maricopa County,” said Scottsdale Deputy Fire Chief Adam Hoster in his report to City Council.
“The Maricopa County STC Program is funded by the STC program grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. The grant is awarded to Maricopa County to assist participants in acquiring equipment, training, and support to enhance PRND capabilities in Maricopa County.”
