First-line emergency services responders are reaping the benefits of e-waste recycling. The Department of Energy, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, has developed a nationwide program that allows old and excess equipment to be used by first responders such as the police, firefighters or paramedics who arrive first at emergencies.
First-line emergency services responders are reaping the benefits of e-waste recycling.
The Department of Energy, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, has developed a nationwide program that allows old and excess equipment to be used by first responders such as the police, firefighters or paramedics who arrive first at emergencies.
Some of the primary equipment provided includes radiation detection equipment such as electronic plusers, hand-held dose rate meters, self-reading pocket dosimeters and respirators.
"First responders have found such items useful for (field training) exercises," said Richard Meehan, project manager at the U.S. Department of Energy in Oak Ridge.
"As we build down, a lot of equipment becomes available," Meehan said, referring to streamlining efforts within the department.
According to Meehan, instead of throwing the materials out or selling the equipment, it is made available to be used by Homeland Security.
Washington, D.C., received the first delivery of about 50 pieces of radiation detection equipment through the Homeland Defense Equipment Reuse program, which started Sept. 6, 2002.
Since its introduction, the program that puts surplus DOE equipment into the hands of first responders in the nation's largest cities has expanded to accommodate all cities across the nation.
The program has provided instruments to Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
The excess equipment is made available after it has been transferred to 5R Processors Ltd., a company that specializes in refurbishing, recycling and remanufacturing computers, monitors and other electronics, where the condition of the items is evaluated and repairs are done as needed. A list is then provided to Homeland Security, where states can request to have items delivered to them at no charge.
The program, which is funded by DOE and Homeland Security, has saved taxpayers $9 million, Meehan said, while costing them less than $700,000 in total expenditures.
Meehan believes the program will be in place at least 10 years.
"As long as the equipment comes in, we'll continue to do it," Meehan said.
Source: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
