Charleston County Coroner’s Office is seeking a $148,000 grant from the Lowcountry Healthcare Coalition to buy portable equipment for mass fatality events. The office runs at 80% capacity amid population growth and past incidents like the Sofa Super Store fire (2007) and Emanuel AME Church shooting (2015). Current setup includes two trailers: one for supplies, one as a cooler.
Proposed Equipment
- Temporary, portable cooling storage
- Self-contained morgue expansion cubes
- Non-electric hydraulic lift
- Portable morgue racks
This gear would support not just Charleston County but surrounding areas with limited resources, promoting regional sharing.
Context and Need
Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal stresses coastal hurricane risks and past overloads, like during COVID-19 when mobile units were maxed out and deployed to Orangeburg County. State support via the Department of Public Health acts as a backup “umbrella” for locals. Mass fatality is defined as deaths exceeding local capacity—events start and end locally, but preparation is key.
County Council will decide on applying; award notification expected by summer’s end.
This builds on your interest in Charleston-area public safety and infrastructure. Any specific angle, like similar grants in other SC counties or hurricane prep details, you’d like me to dig into?
