Schuylkill Co. gets $2M for emergency operations center
Schuylkill County will receive $2 million in federal funding to build a new emergency operations center, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser announced Friday.
The funding was included in FY24 Appropriations legislation recently signed into law, Meuser said.
The facility will serve as the county emergency operations center, equipped to offer emergency backup support to the region’s 911 Response Team.
The funding will be dedicated to building components such as Emergency Management offices, an operations center, and an IT room, totaling 5,120 square feet.
“This state-of-the-art facility will greatly enhance the county’s ability to respond to emergencies and provide crucial backup support to its 911 response team,” Meuser said. “This investment is essential to providing top-tier emergency services throughout Schuylkill County and safeguarding our region’s residents.”
In April 2023, the county commissioners hired Pottsville engineering firm Albert Benesch & Co. for $75,000 to begin the process of building the project $4 million project, which will be on three acres next to the burn building on the grounds of Schuylkill County Emergency Services Training Center in Frackville.
The land was donated to the county years ago by the Schuylkill County Development Corporation.
The building is being designed by Pottsville architect Yongcheol Kim.
“Schuylkill County is thrilled to announce that we’ve secured funding to construct a brand-new Emergency Operations Center, a project we’ve tirelessly pursued for years,” said Schuylkill County Commissioner Boots Hetherington. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Congressman Meuser for his assistance in turning our long-held vision into a reality. Witnessing the recent decline in emergency operations volunteer numbers in several other Pennsylvania counties only underscores the significance of this endeavor for us. With the establishment of this new facility, Schuylkill County is going to enhance its emergency response capabilities, ensuring better service and protection for our community and its residents.”