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Commissioners approve $244,113 state grant to equip regional bomb squad
Summary
Sweetwater County accepted a $244,113.41 grant from the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security to buy a new bomb robot and EOD gear for Regional Emergency Response Team (WERT) #4; the funding requires no county match and expires 06/30/2026.
Sweetwater County commissioners voted unanimously March 4 to accept a state grant of $244,113.41 to equip Regional Emergency Response Team (WERT) number 4, which is overseen by the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office.
"Sweetwater County was awarded state funding in the amount of $244,113.41," County Grants Manager Christina Marshall said, explaining the award requires no county cash match and expires June 30, 2026. Marshall told the commission the largest line item will buy a replacement bomb robot, and the contract packet lists EOD suits, plates and vests, wire-tack kits and related supplies.
Sheriff Grossnickle described routine operational uses for the equipment, saying the department deploys robots in hazardous and tactical situations to avoid risking personnel. "They have video. They have the ability to manipulate things," the sheriff said, describing why a modern robot matters after the county's existing robot fell out of service when batteries could not be replaced.
Marshall said some items had been denied under federal grant review because the state appropriation was pending; the state funding was included in the county fiscal '25 budget and requires project accounting and reconciliation. Commissioners approved a motion authorizing the chair to sign related documentation.
