EDGEWOOD, Ky. — Eleven local governments received more than $9 million in Northern Kentucky from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.


What You Need To Know

  • Eleven local governments in NKY receive over $9 million in CARES funding

  • Funds cover payroll, PPE, sanitization, more

  • Local fire station uses money for mechanical chest compression to reduce COVID-19 risk

These funds will cover payroll expenses, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sanitization of telework supplies.

Some of that money is going to first responders, whose jobs have become slightly more challenging during the pandemic.

“In the past, if we had a patient that may have typically have fallen, we may not have been wearing our mask and our goggles and gowns on a particular call like that. We weren’t suspecting any type of airborne disease that may encounter,” said Tom Dickman, fire chief of Edgewood.

Now during every run, Dickman said the risk of exposure increases for EMS workers.

For that reason, the department invested in a mechanical chest compression machine. The money they spent is part of the reimbursement from the CARES Act.

Dickman said their team had to come up with safe solutions to limit and reduce risk.

“That provides the chest compression needed during CPR without having one of our personnel directly over on top of them,” Dickman said.

Edgewood received more than $627,000 for PPE expenses, sanitizer, telework supplies, and payroll for first responders.

Edgewood's neighboring city Florence received close to $2 million in payroll for police officers, firefighters, and EMS workers. Boone County received almost $4 million for payroll expenses.

Most recently, Dickman said demand has increased for PPE, so they’re stockpiling as supply begins to deplete again.

“Now we are starting to see that there is being a shortage too. If there are number of our vendors, we’re on waiting list on pieces of equipment and so when they get the product in, we’re on waiting list to get some more equipment,” Dickman said.

The Office of Department of Local Government said more than 200 other counties and local governments across the commonwealth are pending approval to receive reimbursements.

Below is a full list of reimbursements in Northern Kentucky:

  • Boone County: $4,547,924 for payroll expenses.
  • Carroll County: $361,945 for testing sits, PPE, sanitizing supplies, payroll expenses, and telework supplies.
  • Gallatin County: $298,956 for payroll expenses.
  • Pendleton County: $83,168 for sneeze guards and payroll expenses.
  • Bellevue: $415,044 for payroll expenses.
  • Butler: $7,574 for payroll expenses.
  • Crescent Springs: $132,971 for payroll for police officers.
  • Edgewood: $627,959 for PPE, sanitizer, telework supplies and payroll expenses.
  • Florence: $2,335,449 for payroll expenses.
  • Highland Heights: $344,022 for PPE, sanitizer, telework supplies, paid leave for quarantined employees, and payroll expenses.
  • Warsaw: $94,826 for PPE and payroll expenses.