City Receives $114,000 Grant from State to Assist in Enhancement of Cybersecurity Issues
By Chris Johnson on June 18, 2024
Bridgeport Director of Emergency Management Tim Curry announced at last week’s Emergency Services Council meeting that the city is the recipient of the state’s first cybersecurity grant.
“That $114,000 will fund the initial setup and years two and three of the program so we have a few years to figure out how to sustain the funding on our own.”
Also during his report, Curry said a third weather station has been installed at the City Park, joining ones at The Bridge Sports Complex and the Fire Department’s sub-station on Jerry Dove Drive. The three weather stations allow for weather to be monitored in real time.
Curry also praised the efforts of the Public Works and the Fire Department during the heavy rain storms during Memorial Day weekend when at one point the city received four inches of rain in four hours, causing flash flooding in several areas.
“We were able to provide some help to the citizens who were affected,” Curry said. “We did a debris removal and garbage pickup. Public Works came around and were able to pick up a lot of the vegetated debris that was clogging up storm drains and streams.
“The Fire Department made five human rescues and two K-9 rescues.
“I can’t say enough about the Fire Department and Public Works during this event. They were just awesome.”
Fire Chief Phil Hart said that although it’s not finalized yet, the city is closing on a funding source that will help add additional personnel to his staff.
The Emergency Services Council agreed to seek more information about the possible installation of a Giant Voice emergency notification system in the city.
Giant Voice is already used by some cities in West Virginia and most military bases everywhere. It’s an emergency alert service through a hard-wired speaker system and would provide instructions, directions and emergency notifications to citizens.
The Council also agreed to table discussions on a First Responders Memorial until a more concrete plan for the new Police Department building are in place.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Curry (left) discussing the Memorial Day weekend floods, bottom photo is of Chief Hart.