Wilmington mayor officially welcomes new emergency center

Emergency Management officials along with Wilmington Mayor James Baker came together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to debut the City’s new 3,600 square foot Emergency Operations Center Monday morning.

The Emergency Operations Center is connected to the emergency management’s administration building and is designed to serve as a command center where a variety of emergency response activities can be coordinated.  In fact, the new facility was already put to the test during superstorm Sandy. 

“Less than a week after we finished installing the technical systems in the new facility, the Emercency Operations Center was pressed into action by Hurricane Sandy,” said George Giles, Director of Emergency Management.

Emergency responders who are directed there during storms similar to Sandy will be able to do their job efficiently.  Some of the features include state-of-the-art monitors, a media briefing room, as well as a data center to provide live broadcasts over the the City’s government access channel through WITN-TV22.

“The new Emergency Operations Center is a tremendous addition to the City of Wilmington’s public safety arsenal,” said Mayor Baker. 

Federal grant money and capital funds from the city were used for the project totalling $2 million.  Most of the money to build and furnish the emergency facility came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to better protect the community during a number of disasters.

“Now we are better equipped than ever to provide citizens with timely information and well-coordinated operations during a weather-related or man-made emergency,” added Baker.