Moore County is seeking a $120,000 grant to buy automated external defibrillators (AED) for law enforcement vehicles.

The Moore County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously last week to apply for the federal grant

Scot Brooks, county director of Emergency Medical Services, along with Dr. Robin Cummings, chairman of HeartSafe Moore County, made the request for the $120,000 Rural Access to Emergency Devices grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant would enable the county to buy 100 AEDs to be placed in law enforcement vehicles for use in a variety of emergency situations.

Since launching the effort in November 2007, the nonprofit group has placed more than 93 AEDs in the county. That total includes 30 AEDs placed in the public schools, which was the group's initial "target" for AED deployment.

In another matter relating to public safety, the commissioners voted to update the county's emergency services plan.

"This is quite an undertaking," Commissioner Jimmy Melton said. "It's been a long time in the making, and they have done an excellent job."

Public Safety Director Carlton Cole said the plan was developed to address hazards threatening the county. He said the plan allows for a systemwide integration of skills, people and resources, and recognizes that plans developed for one type of emergency are extremely useful for other emergency situations.

Cole said the plan was developed by Public Safety's Office of Emergency Management and had been reviewed by a consultant for compliance with local, state and federal standards.

No new funding is required, according to Cole's report. The cost of such things as notebooks and printing is included in the department's operational budget.

The commissioners approved a lease agreement with the state of North Carolina to lease space on the Highway Patrol communications tower on Glendon-Carthage Road for emergency communications radio equipment for the sheriff, police, rescue, fire and EMS units.

Cole reported that the Highway Patrol has replaced the tower at this location and is leasing space on the tower and a portion of the site near the base to the county. The rate is $1 per term for five years and is renewable for five additional five-year periods. He said the agreement had been reviewed by both the county attorney and the state attorney general's office.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.