It has been a rough journey preparing this community for a possible accident or incident with the chemical weapons stockpile at the Anniston Army Depot.For decades the stockpile has been with us. And for decades we should have had an emergency preparedness program in place.
That has not been the case. And one reason is because a lot of fighting has taken place between our local emergency management officials and county commissioners on one side and federal government officials on the other. A lot of precious time has been lost.
But it seems that what the community has long needed may be falling into place, and that is good news indeed. For as unthinkable as it is, we need to be prepared.
Last week, our commissioners took steps to approve a contract with a Virginia-based firm to distribute preparedness equipment to some in our community. The deal is not final; bureaucratic entanglements in Washington mean the county is still waiting on about $5 million. But progress is being made and indications are that an all out program should be on soon.
It is time that this happen. But it is also time the local, state and federal agencies put differences aside and begin the healing process.
Our community simply can’t afford more bickering. The public needs to see that the people who are making these decisions and the ones funding the projects, have our best interests in mind.
It is more important now than ever to be prepared, and to be united. If last week’s developments are any indication, it looks like we might be headed in the right direction.
For the sake of the whole of northeast Alabama let’s hope so.
