Warren County Emergency Management is upgrading its ability to detect hazardous chemicals, thanks to a grant from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.

Warren Fiscal Court, in a 5-0 vote Tuesday with Third District Magistrate Tony Payne absent, approved the purchase of a First Defender Chemical Detection Unit that will replace a 13-year-old unit.

Travis Puckett, deputy emergency management director for the county, said the new device is being purchased with funds from a $50,000 Homeland Security grant. He said the new device will enhance emergency responders’ ability to evaluate threats.

“It uses a laser beam that will identify chemicals through solid containers,” Puckett said. “It eliminates the risk of first responders being exposed to these chemicals.”

Puckett said the mobile device, which costs $49,700, can identify more than 4,500 chemicals.

When the grant was announced in September, Warren County Emergency Management Director Ronnie Pearson said the new chemical detection device would provide the ability to quickly and accurately identify suspicious substances and enhance first responders’ ability to make logical decisions that could save lives.

The grant to Warren County is one of 50 awarded statewide. Totaling nearly $3 million, the grants are intended to allow local agencies to purchase law enforcement, fire and emergency services equipment to counter threats of terrorism.

Fiscal court also approved an expenditure that promises to enhance energy efficiency and improve lighting at a county park.

The magistrates approved $7,210 to rent a 135-foot lift from Whayne Supply that will allow for the lights on four ballfields at Basil Griffin Park to be upgraded to LED lighting.

The project is part of a $5.7 million contract with Indiana-based Energy Savings Group to make improvements in lighting, heating and cooling at 42 county buildings.

Warren County Parks and Recreation Director Chris Kummer said his department agreed to provide the lift for installing the lights as part of the contract with ESG. He said the four fields on the Three Springs Road side of the park near the parks department’s headquarters will be getting the lighting upgrades.

“We will replace those four sets of lights and upgrade the lights in the main office,” Kummer said. “It will enhance visibility at those fields and also save on utility costs.”

The magistrates also approved a contract for maintenance of 18 elevators in county-owned buildings that Warren County Justice Center Superintendent James Marcrum said is going to save the county about $30,000 this year.

The one-year, $5,150 contract with DC Elevator of Louisville is for inspection and routine maintenance of the elevators. Marcrum said for “nine or 10” years the county has operated under a full-service contract with ThyssenKrupp Elevator for elevator maintenance that has led to annual costs of $35,000 or more.

A memorandum about the new contract submitted by county Public Works Director Josh Moore said “this contract will provide on-site inspections for all county-owned elevators and lifts twice each year, as well as maintenance such as grease and oil. Should any major hardware or mechanical device need replacing, Warren County would be responsible for the cost.”

Although the county is assuming more risk, Marcrum said: “To me, this is a no-brainer because of the cost savings.”

The magistrates also approved spending $5,500 for Buck Electric to repair five light poles for the county parks department.