Citrus County (Fla.) Emergency Operations Center Opens

Citrus County, Florida, opened a new Emergency Operations Center on Nov. 15, 2008 for county officials, state and federal law agencies and Citrus County Sheriff's Office.

The facility cost $12 million to build, has 41,000 square feet, features two backup generators, can withstand 165 mph winds, and has state-of-the-art technology inside.

The county also purchased a mobile command post for about $650,000, which will be used in the event of natural disaster - like a hurricane or tropical storm - or non-natural event, such as any incident at the nearby nuclear power plant in Crystal River.

The Crystal River area is also the place where two more nuclear power plants are planned. The two new nuclear units, Units 1 and 2, are projected to come online in nearby Levy County in 2016 and 2017 and generate 2,200 megawatts (MW), enough to power about 1.3 million average residential homes using 1,200 kWh per month.

* The facility has three 450-watt generators; two of which will power the building during a power loss, and the third will serve as a backup.
* There are 228,000 feet of voice/data cabling in the building for communications.
* The building has 350,000 feet of wiring for audiovisual and security which, if stretched out, would cover 66 miles.
* Features a state-of-the-art "war room" which will be used during emergencies. The room can now hold more than 60 people -- all pertinent to an emergency.
* There is a dedicated area for ARES ham radio operators to function during an emergency.
* Has sleeping quarters, a gym and shower areas for those times when overnight stays are mandatory during emergencies.
* Has an area dedicated for media satellite truck hookups for improved media assistance during an emergency.
* Can accommodate county constitutional officers during an emergency, such as the board of county commissioners, and other essential people.

(Video courtesy of CitrusDaily.com)

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Citrus
• County
• Florida
• Emergency
• Operations
• Center
• federal
• Sheriff's
• Office
• nuclear
• disasters
• winds
• state-of-the-art
• technology
• mobile
• command
• post
• storm
• Levy

[kidritalin1]

Citrus County REALLY needed a million dollar helicopter. Gotta get them thar mari-g-wanna growin dopers tryin ta git dem kids hooked on them funny cigaretts. Any thang Dawsey wantz Dawsey gitts round heaar ! Keep writtin them speedin tickets and trump up some charges boys cuz there aint no real crime to warrant your existance and a million dollar helicopter !

[twilson1118]

Might want to check the generator wattage, guessing more in the 450,000 watt range per generator.