New Public Safety Center in Springfield Will be State Back-up Facility

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A new state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center, built to withstand a tornado the size of the storm that devastated Joplin, was formally opened during a ceremony Monday in Springfield.

The 56,000 square-foot Public Safety Center at 330 W. Scott Street will be able to house more than 70 local, state and federal agencies in the event of a major disaster.

The center will also serve as the coordination point for an 18-county area of southwest Missouri and will be a back-up site for the Missouri State Emergency Management operations.

"This [facility] is right up there among the best -- among that best that any other states have," said Paul Parmenter, director of the State Emergency Management Association, in a statement Monday. "Congratulations for what you have done and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your community."

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The center is just a stone's throw away from the current emergency management office. It will combine emergency management and E-911.

"From a disaster perspective from my office, we can manage disasters much more effectively," says Ryan Nicholls, Greene County Emergency Management Director. "We've got room for agencies -- both federal, state, and local -- come together. We've got the technology to allow a complete intelligent network, so everyone knows what's going on and when."

The new center will be built to withstand an F-5 tornado and utility interruptions, providing secure workspace for emergency responders and state-of-the-art emergency communications technology used during disaster events. The energy-efficient building is designed to obtain LEED certification.

According to a news release from the City of Springfield, the building cost $19.7 million, paid for by:

-$1 million FEMA grant, secured by Congressman (now Senator) Roy Blunt
-$1.1 million in COPS Technology grants, secured by Congressman (now Senator) Roy Blunt
-$450,000 Department of Energy grant, secured by Congressman (now Senator)  Roy Blunt
-$300,000 Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant
-Up to $1 million a year in voter-approved 911 Sales Tax funds
-$550,000 Emergency Management Performance Grant
-$1.1 million per year of Greene County general revenue beginning in 2016 when bonds for other projects are retired.