New EOC/Comm. Center

SARASOTA COUNTY - Congressman Vern Buchanan toured the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center today and discussed key approval of $1.6 million in federal funding for a new public safety center in Sarasota County and improvements to the county's 911 system.

The House Fiscal Year 2009 "Homeland Security Appropriations Act" passed by the House Appropriations Committee includes the funding sought by Buchanan to move the County Emergency Operations Center, 911 Consolidated Communications Center , and the Enterprise Information Technology Data Center from the county administration building to a new facility.

"Sarasota County has been fortunate in recent years, but it only a matter of time before we get hit with a major event," said Buchanan. "This funding will improve the county's ability to serve the needs of the community and enhance the public safety services that are available should a disaster occur."

An engineering survey determined that the county administration building was not designed to withstand a major hurricane. Sarasota County is currently planning and designing a new 50,000 square foot public safety center that is structurally sound and geographically located to ensure it can provide critical services and government continuity after the advent of a major storm event.

"The County Emergency Operations Center is the focal point for our ability to direct responses to emergencies," said Ed McCrane, Emergency Services Chief. "It's critical to construct a secure building where we can manage operations during and after storms. This federal funding is extremely important to the new emergency operations facility."

Buchanan also secured $600,000 for new equipment for Sarasota County's Emergency Operation Center. The funding sought by Buchanan was included in the House fiscal year 2009 "Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act" approved by the House Appropriations Committee.

"This would allow them to replace the county's current -- 30-year old 911 network with state of the art technology," said Buchanan. "The new equipment will enhance public safety by enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies."

The funding awaits final approval in the full House and Senate.

FINALLY WE HAVE SOMEONE LOOKING OUT FOR US!!!

We need to also relocate law enforcement and fire headquarters in this facility.

[News Flash]

Follow-up story:

Federal money awarded to help build new EOC center

SARASOTA COUNTY - $1.6 million in federal money is on the way to help build a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Sarasota County.

But they say what the county really needs is a brand new building in a safe location, with all the latest technology.

This money is welcome, but the new center is expected to cost $16-20 million. Where's the rest of the money coming from? "We hope to solicit some grants from the state. And then of course Sarasota County will also be participating in the funding as well. It will be a great start though, in the communications system. But it will take obviously many millions of dollars more to build a full-blown emergency operations center at a different location other than downtown," says Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton.

Two sites under consideration: Twin Lakes Park and 1301 Cattleman Road.

McCrane says once they find the money, it will still be 3 or 4 years before a new building could be ready.

$600,000 of that federal money will go to improve the 911 center. Right now it only takes voice information. But with so many people using cell phones, it needs to be upgraded so it can take text messages, pictures and video.

All this could be very important in a major storm.

Click here for the full story.

Im not sure how you can relocate the Sheriff's Office from Downtown. By state law it must remain in the County Seat (city limits which is Sarasota), I am sure there are ways around that just like anything.

The Sheriff must maintain an office in the county seat not the entire agency. If we moved to the new EOC it would probably just be a district operation housing that districts patrol,cib, etc. with a few additional things. The actual Sheriff,command staff, and things like civil, records,personel etc would stay downtown.

Interesting question though. Is the City of Sarasota still the county seat since North Port has more population now? Anyone know how that works?

The Sheriff must maintain an office in the county seat not the entire agency. If we moved to the new EOC it would probably just be a district operation housing that districts patrol,cib, etc. with a few additional things. The actual Sheriff,command staff, and things like civil, records,personel etc would stay downtown.

Interesting question though. Is the City of Sarasota still the county seat since North Port has more population now? Anyone know how that works?

The location of the county seat is determined by our county charter e.g. by our county constitution. Our charter says that our seat must be in Sarasota, but that does not mean that it has to be in the municipal bounries of the City of Sarasota e.g. it simply has to be in "Sarasota," which is anywhere from University Parkway all the way down to Central Sarasota Parkway. Therefore, we can legally place the sheriff's office at Cattleman Road.