The Marshall County Council members heard from Marshall County Community Corrections Director Ward Byers and Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery Monday morning about an opportunity to apply for grant funds from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
Byers said Marshall County has an opportunity to apply for COVID-19 funds from the ICJI in the amount of $103,266.50.
Byers explained, “A big chunk of that is going to cover personal protective equipment for law enforcement officers throughout Marshall County and the jail, as well as the ability to disinfect and sanitize squad cars that may have a COVID exposure during a transport. It will also include digital thermometers for any agency that may feel the need for that as well as the jail.”
He said another portion of the funds requested will be for a community resources app that will have all pertinent information available for community members or emergency responders to have on any smart phone or mobile device.
Byers continued, “It will have community resources from United Way of Marshall County, Clyde’s office, and the Health Department. It will have pinmap location capability for the mobile medical unit once it is out and about so folks can see exactly where it’s going to be on any particular day, immunization information from Health Department, and up-to-date COVID information. From Clyde’s office, he’ll be able to put out information such as travel advisories, updated COVID information, and disaster-type related information.”
He added that the highway department will be able to alert residents of any road conditions or closures to residents. Substance abuse and mental health resources will also be available links on the app.
EMA Director Clyde Avery said this will also assist the county with emergency compliance.
Avery stated, “One of the things we identified in an after action review of the current COVID situation was that we needed a way to push information out to the community. In the past, we used a free version of NIXLE. Unfortunately, they were bought out by a bigger company and now that company charges for anything above an alert. This [app] will help replace that and I think it’s critical to be able to get that information out to people in the community as quickly as possible.”
The money built into the grant for the app is $41,266.50 is development and creation and three years of service agreements. The maintenance cost after that period will be covered by Marshall County Community Corrections. The council members approved the grant application with a unanimous vote. The commissioners approved the request at their meeting last week.
