By Jim Balow
Charleston Gazette

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Charleston firefighters will get new portable radios, thanks to a $230,000 federal Homeland Security grant approved Monday evening by City Council members.

The grant, plus $57,463 of matching city funds, will buy 100 portable radios and 46 mobile radios - enough to equip every riding position and nearly every piece of equipment in the fire department, Chief Randy Stanley said.

"Now, there are certain areas of the city where our radios don't transmit, like the Kmart in Kanawha City and the basement of the state Capitol," Stanley said. "This equipment will have better penetration."

Also Monday, council members approved the purchase of a new video surveillance system for the Charleston Civic Center, also paid for by a Homeland Security grant. The system includes 37 digital video cameras and related gear.

Copyright 2007 Charleston Newspapers