ADRIAN — Lenawee County officials have requested nearly $11,000 in emergency response grants to fund hazmat training and drone livestream technology. The requests were submitted during the June 17 meeting of the Homeland Security Committee.
Emergency Management Director Craig Tanis proposed using $5,000 from the FY24 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) to support training for the hazardous materials team or purchase of equipment. The funds would enable the county to respond more quickly to specialized emergencies.
A second request seeks $5,738 to renew CAPE Watch, a livestreaming software used by the county’s drone team for incident command. The funding would come from a combination of FY23 SHSP and LETPA grants, with the remaining costs covered under FY24 allocations. The software improves real-time coordination during fires, chemical spills, and public safety threats.
The state must approve all grant spending before funds are released. The drone software renewal would extend through August 2026.
If approved, the upgrades would enhance the county’s emergency response capabilities and ensure the continued use of drone-based situational awareness tools during high-risk events.