Marshall County plans to expand its Emergency Management Agency Department for added security at the county building.
The matter was discussed last week by the County Commissioners, but funding the proposal was addressed by the County Council on Monday morning. Currently there is a single EMA Director, but a deputy director could be used to not only help with regular duties in the office, but also provide security in the building.
County Commissioner Deb Griewank made the proposal on behalf of the EMA Department. She says that with everything going on in the world, it’s necessary.
“We are totally responsible for every individual in the county, in [the county building and courthouse] and so forth that is employed through Marshall County. So we are looking at having security here.”
The position would not see a hiring take place until 2017. That’s when the State’s Homeland Security Department’s grant cycle for such positions is available. Marshall County would only need to provide 50-percent of the compensation for the position should it be awarded.
Currently, Marshall County is without security in its County building. Under state statute, employees of the Sheriff’s Department are disallowed from providing security in the building unless there is a courtroom inside.
Griewank says employees should also begin wearing their county issued lanyards for safety.
“This helps out everybody. It distinguishes you so that we know you’re a Marshall County employee. So that too would be something this individual would have to wear.”
The deputy would likely be armed and would receive training for when to use their weapon in the future.
Active shooter training was recently conducted in the county, leading one official to say that it was eye-opening. The County Council approved moving forward with the grant in the New Year, unanimously.
