Title
Discussion and Possible Approval to Submit a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Application for an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Fire Station 3
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the submission of a Federal Emergency Management Agency Grant Application for the Single Story Concept in an amount not to exceed $4,500,000 to plan, design and construct an Emergency Operations Center at Fire Station 3 in White Rock.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Body
During the April 2023 budget hearings, Council approved a Police Department budget option for $100,000 to fund designs to plan for a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Fire Station 3 in White Rock.
The lack of a dedicated Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Los Alamos County has presented ongoing issues, as exemplified by past incidents. During the Cerro Pelado event in 2022, a makeshift EOC in the Police Department, utilizing folding tables and conference chairs, highlighted the inadequacy of the current setup. During the Las Conchas fire in 2011, collaboration with LANL demonstrated the need for a dedicated EOC as identified in the "Lessons Learned" white paper. It emphasized that Los Alamos County should establish its EOC in a county-owned facility and maintain representation in the LANL EOC, citing shortcomings in the LANL EOC's configuration. The Cerro Grande fire in 2000 also revealed challenges, particularly with access and badges and technology when teaming with LANL, underscoring the importance of an independent and accessible EOC for effective emergency response. In 2019 Los Alamos County experienced a “Major Wind Event” which activated the EOC, again with no dedicated space for the coordination of emergency response activities.
The need for a new EOC is underscored by the importance of having a fully capable local emergency operations facility within a comprehensive national eme...
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