A spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirmed on Friday that the agency is reviewing Calhoun County's written plan for purchasing and distributing 35,000 protective hoods to residents living near the Army's chemical weapons stockpile and incinerator.
Local officials say the hoods will provide residents with an added layer of protection should a chemical accident occur at the Army's weapons storage facility in Anniston.
FEMA has been withholding $7 million in federal funding for the hoods until county officials presented a plan detailing hood specifications, how residents would be trained to use the gear, how the hoods would be distributed and who would be liable for the product.
The county's plan has been received, the FEMA spokesperson said.
"It's under review and the announcement (about funding) will be made shortly," the spokesperson added.
According to the county Emergency Management Agency, the plan has provisions requiring that the manufacturer distribute protective hoods for adults, children and infants. The cost of those hoods would be determined through a bid process.
Response to a chemical weapons accident at the depot would involve a combination of evacuation and shelter in place. Specific zones in the county would be directed to evacuate, depending on which direction a toxic cloud might be drifting. Meanwhile, the residents living closest to the depot would be instructed to shelter in place.
County officials, however, have argued that a shelter-in-place plan would not be sufficient unless those residents also have protective hoods.
"We would hope these protective actions would be in place before the incinerator starts up," county EMA spokesman Brian Lazenby said.
But for that to happen, the startup date scheduled for this fall would have to be pushed back, even if the money for the hoods was already in hand, he said. He added that the county EMA doesn't have the authority to hold up the incinerator.
But the governor does.
Democrat Gov. Don Siegelman, Riley's opponent in the upcoming election, has filed a lawsuit trying to prevent the incinerator's opening until 12 safety criteria are met - protective hoods is one of them.
"We hope and believe that FEMA will live up to its agreement and provide us with the funding for protective hoods and other safety measures," said Siegelman's spokesman Mike Kanarick. "But not one match will be lit until these safety measures are in place."
As outlined in the plan the county sent to FEMA, distribution of the hoods will be determined by the vendor. Liability for the hoods would fall, at least in part, on the manufacturer.
EMA officials could not say what, if any, liability the county would share.
Delois Champ, of the county EMA, said officials here have not yet received any word from FEMA about the plan.
"We have not received the funding yet," she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
