Franklin EMA seeks grant to purchase scene light

RUSSELLVILLE The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency is hoping to secure funding for a much-needed piece of equipment to improve nighttime emergency response.

Countycommissioners have approved EMA Director Mary Glass’ request to apply for a $5,000 grant through the Northwest Alabama RC&D Council.

“We don’t have any scene lights right now,” Glass said. “We’re applying for something that inflates and lights up the whole area — just flip it on, and it goes.”

Glass said the first step is to see if the grant can be obtained.

There are four models in the AirLight series, the series being considered, each offering different light output and setup options.

The lights are designed to be lightweight, quick to deploy, and capable of illuminating wide areas with soft, even light. Unlike traditional tower lights, they require no heavy lifting or mounting, making them ideal for fast response in difficult conditions.

Currently, the department relies on handheld flashlights during nighttime operations — a setup Glass said is far from ideal. The new equipment would improve visibility and safety during searchand- rescue missions and other emergency responses after dark.

If the grant is approved, the county commission would initially pay for the light, and the RC&D council would reimburse the county.

A decision on the grant is expected in October.