Emergency Management Administration Director Mike Casey told the Edgefield County Council last week that the tornado warning system for Edgefield, Johnston, and Trenton has been completed.

The implementation of the system was led by Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham and the other towns followed suit. Mr. Casey said that since its completion there was a desire to implement the warning system throughout the county but funds were not available, until now.

Since that time the new NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) grant program has come out in the last five days and placing similar sirens across the county may be more of a reality than a hopeful dream.

"We, being Edgefield County, would be competitive with the rest of the nation for this grant," Mr. Casey said.

Saluda County received a similar grant of $197,000 last year to install a similar system with seven sirens. The grant is a fully refundable grant, but the county would be required to put the money "up front" for the installation and then would be refunded for the monies expended to install a warning system countywide.

Mr. Casey said this was a "time sensitive" grant and he was seeking the county councils advice on whether the EMA Office should pursue trying to seek the funding.

If the council agreed, additional sirens would be placed in the Merriwether, Mount Vintage, and County Line areas and other locations would be sought through additions studies to warn the largest number of residents of impending danger from a tornado that was confirmed in the county or heading into the county.

In addition to the grant for the sirens additional funds would be available to reinforce the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that is proposed in the rebuilding of the office space lost in the first of the Church Street building when rebuilt.

The second grant would pay for the reinforcement of the EOC to hurricane standards so that in the event of a tornado or similar disaster strikes the area the command center could continue to function and provide emergency services.

Mr. Casey explained again that the county would have to pay for these installations of the warning sirens "up front" but would be reimbursed for 100% of the funds once completed. The funds to upgrade the building would be a 75-25 match (25% cost to the county).

In addition, the north communications tower needs to be replaced at a location close to the current location and extend the tower and additional 100 feet to 385 feet.

But this would also include having to get FAA clearance for the new tower which could take up to a year to achieve. The current tower is 25 years old and had a life expectancy of 20 years.

Grants for this project are currently underway.

Chairman Kneece made the motion that the county make the funds available from the reserve funds with the understanding that the money would be replaced from the grants if received.

If the county does not receive the grants the county will not have to expend any funds. After a second the motion carried by a unanimous vote.

The deadline for the initial grant needs application is February of 2009.