Craighead County and the City of Jonesboro have been awarded a $311,961 grant from the Homeland Security Grant Program to enhance their readiness for responding to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. County Judge Marvin Day announced the funding Monday, emphasizing its importance for the region's safety.
“These grant funds help provide specialized equipment and training for weapons of mass destruction teams who respond to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents that exceed the capabilities of traditional first responders,” Day said.
According to Day, the grant funds will support the purchase of personal protective equipment, detection and identification devices, specialized tools, communication systems, decontamination resources, and ongoing training for WMD response teams. The initiative is part of a broader effort to prepare local and regional agencies for critical emergencies.
Day credited the Craighead County Office of Emergency Management and collaboration with the City of Jonesboro for their role in securing the grant and fostering regional preparedness. The funding builds on previous efforts, including the county’s 2025 purchase of a WMD response vehicle using Department of Homeland Security funds. At that time, Day noted that Craighead County would remain eligible for federal funding to equip and train the regional response team, which serves 17 counties.
When not dispatched for WMD-specific incidents, the vehicle supports Jonesboro’s hazardous materials team and assists local first responders in emergencies, Day said.
The grant represents another step in strengthening the region’s ability to address potential large-scale emergencies involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive threats.