Public safety departments in Henry County, Georgia, were given approval to purchase two command units. The vehicles, which act as mobile command centers, are deployed during emergencies like natural disasters, fires, or hostage situations.

The board approved $2.7 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds to be used to purchase two Ten-8 Fire and Safety Equipment C-35X-2 Enforcer Mobile Command Vehicles. In a presentation to the Henry County Board of Commissioners, Fire Chief Jonathan Burnette said the new vehicles can be upgraded as needed with new equipment.

Burnette explained that the current vehicles being used by the police, fire, and Emergency Management Agency departments are outdated and have technology that cannot be updated anymore. One of the vehicles, operated by Henry County Police, recently caught fire and is out of service. 

According to the Henry Herald, one vehicle will be shared among Henry County’s Emergency Management Agency, Henry County police, and Henry County fire departments. The second will be used by the E911 center to act as a backup location. It will also be available for use by other jurisidictions the county has agreements with in the event of an emergency.