During the storm and its aftermath, emergency response, humanitarian relief and related governmental activities were stymied locally by the lack of a modern EmergencyOperations/9-1-1/Multi-Agency Communications Center.
The need was noted, and since then a local contingent has been working to plan and to secure funding for such a center. Now, with a $700,000 capital outlay from the state and another $700,000, including state and federal funds, already in the bank, the project is about to go out for bids.
|
Advertisement |
“It’s all part of the Washington Parish Communications District, which is responsible for 9-1-1 system for parish,” he said. “It’s an ideal location for this building. It will house the 9-1-1 center as well as personnel from the Washington Parish Communications District. There will be three spots available for 9-1-1 dispatchers, and I’ve talked with various agencies in the parish. During times of emergencies in Washington Parish, it will be the emergency operation center, with rooms for 21 (emergency management incident command) people.”
The center is designed to provide an effective means for local emergency response and government officials to coordinate, monitor and direct emergency response and related activities.
The combined facility will also provide the ability to direct and control resources, automate processes and methodologies, assign and track tasks, and efficiently communicate real-time emergency management information, Coleman said. In addition, it will be designed and constructed to protect communication and data with needed redundancy, security and flexibility.
In order to provide emergency communication services in the event of natural or manmade disasters, terrorism, bio-terrorism, hazardous material and other emergencies within Washington Parish and Louisiana Emergency Response Region 9, the parish plus the Communications District will construct and equip the new facility to provide coordinated electronic, telephone, satellite and radio communications to, from and between all law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, hospitals and emergency management agencies within Washington Parish and with the surrounding parishes and counties.
The initial facility has been designed to accommodate future expansion as additional funding becomes available. Phase 2 will have room for eight dispatchers, and Phase 3 will represent the completion of a full service operations center including showers, bunks and a room for the media, Coleman said.
The work on Phase 1 is about to get under way, he said
“The architects are about four weeks from the plans being final,” Coleman said. “Then they’ll go out to bid, and it will take about a year to build. It should be ready in fall of 2011.”
The ongoing operational and maintenance funding will come from 9-1-1 fees attached to home and cell phones, and the cost of employing specially trained personnel dedicated to answering 9-1-1 calls and coordinating parish wide fire department response will require additional funding sources, he said.
Tommy Thiebaud, Washington Parish Director of Homeland Security, joined Coleman in presenting the information to the parish council for approval this week. In a written report, the men concluded, “Recent events, which include both natural or man made disasters and localized emergencies, have vividly shown the need for seamless electronic, telephone, and radio communications to, from and between all law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and emergency management agencies, the public, and elected officials to minimize loss of life and property and maximize public safety.
“This facility serves as a necessary first step in providing such capabilities for public safety in Washington Parish.”
It could also influence economic development, they said.
“The ability to attract investment by new business is, in many ways, tied to the ability of local government to respond to natural and manmade disasters.”
Comments