RC&D awards $175K to fund 26 projects

RUSSELLVILLE – The Northwest Alabama RC&D Council has awarded $175,000 to 26 projects to purchase public safety equipment, make school improvements, and provide funding help to community projects.

Paul Housel, a representative of the Cosby Company, said RC&D receives money appropriated by the Alabama Legislature through the General Fund and Education Trust Fund.

Housel said this year’s $175,000 total was roughly the same as last year, but up from less than $100,000 two years ago.

The Franklin Sheriff’s Office received $6,000 through Project St. Michael to help replace ballistic (bulletproof) vests for deputies and school resource officers.

Sgt. Kyle Palmer said the department began planning the project last year because its existing vests were approaching the end of their recommended five-year service life.

Palmer said each replacement vest costs $1,100, making replacement of the department’s vests a $25,000 to $30,000 project every five years.

He said the department chose the name Project St. Michael because St. Michael traditionally represents protection and defense against evil.

Palmer said the name reflects the project’s purpose of providing deputies with protection “as they stand between the danger and the citizens that they serve.”

Principal Dawn Rogers said Phil Campbell Elementary School used its grant for playground improvements.

The school added mulch beneath the swings and around monkey bars and other areas, she said. It also purchased three round picnic tables and umbrellas to give students additional places to sit and eat snacks.

Children in the school’s after-school program also use the tables.

“We have about 92 kids who stay until about 5:30 in the afternoon, and so they’re able to use those tables too,” she said.

Brianna Weeks said East Franklin Volunteer Fire Department used its grant to purchase two automated external defibrillators after the department could no longer obtain parts for its older AED.

Weeks said an AED can become particularly important when firefighters reach a cardiac emergency before an ambulance.

“We never know how quick an ambulance is going to get out there,” she said. “Every second counts in a cardiac event.”

Phil Campbell Ambulance Service used its $6,000 to purchase a LUCAS mechanical chest compression device.

Michael Pounders said performing CPR during an ambulance transport can require 15 to 20 minutes of chest compressions while emergency personnel also need to assess and provide other treatment to the patient.

“This machine frees up the person in the back of the ambulance to be able to provide the rest of the lifesaving care that we need to provide them,” Pounders said.

He said having a LUCAS device on each of the service’s two ambulances ensures one is available regardless of which truck responds.

“It would have taken us several years to raise enough money to buy one,” he said.

Pounders also represented the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association, which used grant funding and matching money to purchase three shelters for its equipment.

He said the association previously stored its grills, trailers and other equipment at locations throughout the county, sometimes making it difficult to get equipment where it was needed.

Pounders said the association had purchased land and assembled the shelters and was waiting for fencing to be completed.

Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council Vice President Chase Sparks said the organization used its grant for improvements at the Historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville.

“We were able to put a fresh coat of paint on the lobby and the interior foyer of the theater,” Sparks said.

He said the organization also used the funding to develop a life-safety plan and make stage improvements, including construction of a backdrop used for multiple community productions.

Russellville City Schools received $10,000 for an outdoor classroom for its pre-K program.

Northwest Alabama RC&D Executive Director Lauranne James said Russellville High School received $7,000 for dual enrollment and dual credit courses.

Former chief Donald Taylor said the Belgreen Volunteer Fire Department used grant funding to replace failed radios in two engines, and purchase a portable radio for current Chief Robin Grissom.