Thursday, April 15, 2004
County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced that Atlantic County has been selected as one of 28 counties nationwide to receive a 2004 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Model County and Coalition grant from the National Association of Counties (NACo) in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The $5,000 grant will enable the county to provide mold training seminars for municipalities, educational institutions and county employees.
The county's Office of Risk, Insurance, Safety and Claims submitted the grant proposal in response to a recommendation for mold prevention and remediation training that was identified in the Atlantic County 2010 Report, presented to Levinson in January, 2004. The report contained 59 long-term planning recommendations submitted by the 2010 Committee,
a group of approximately 80 informed citizens selected by Levinson to examine six key policy areas of county government.
"We are proud to receive this grant, and to be the only county in the state to do so. Atlantic County continues to be ahead of the curve in providing programs and services that meet the needs of our residents," stated Levinson. "The community spoke and we listened. We will continue to demonstrate a high level of responsiveness."
The county's training seminar will be similar to one it presented in 2003 at a NACo IAQ/Mold workshop. Representatives from county municipalities will receive training that focuses on legal, liability and insurance issues. Training for personnel from local primary and secondary schools and colleges will emphasize insurance issues. County employees will receive training that addresses indoor air quality in the home.
The county expects to complete the three-pronged training program before the end of the year.
For more information, please contact Howard Kyle, Chief of Staff, at 343-2368.