Nick Bolton of Chilton County Emergency Management (EMA) asked the commission for two resolutions: one to establish a county technical-rescue and hazmat response unit and another to authorize purchase of a vehicle for the team. Bolton said the unit would provide rope rescue, swift-water response, trench and confined-space capabilities and would coordinate personnel and equipment with municipal fire departments and volunteer fire departments across the county.

Bolton described the county's exposure—major highways, rail lines and companies storing hazardous materials—and said smaller state and federal grants (often reimbursement or matching grants) plus donations from local fire departments could fund training and equipment. "We usually get those grants," he said, describing experience obtaining smaller reimbursements under $100,000. Bolton said EMA already has some equipment and expects to seek grant matches before expanding procurement.

On vehicle funding, Bolton said the truck candidate was a used model (transcript reference: approximately a mid- to late-1990s heavy-rescue truck) and that he had found a unit in the range of $15,000; he also noted some used commercial heavy rescues can run substantially higher. He confirmed the vehicle purchase was not included in the current budget, and asked the commission to consider a resolution to cover that one-time expense or to identify matching grant opportunities.

Commissioners asked for more detail about operational coordination, grant administration and long-term sustainability. One commissioner noted pipelines running through the county as an added hazard that supports the request. EMA staff said if grants require county administration the funds would flow through the county; if RPS or another third party pursues grants, those funds would belong to that party. No formal action was taken in the work session; EMA asked the commission to consider the two resolutions at the next meeting.