Among projects approved was $750,000 for the Crittenden County Emergency Operations Center. Judge-Executive Fred Brown said Thursday morning that it appears the legislation will be received favorably in the U.S. Senate, too.
"We've been trying to get money for this for the last two or three years," said Brown. "I'm just elated."
Brown said the EOC will likely be built in the industrial park on the south end of town near the Marion Ed-Tech Center. It could be located downtown near the current rescue squad building at what's commonly called the jockey lot. That and other decisions about the scope and size of the center will be made later, the judge said.
Brown envisions a metal building capable of handling a variety of emergency response activities and equipment.
"I think the rescue squad, HAZ-MAT response team, emergency management and even the fire departments, if they wanted to, could be in there," Brown said.
Brown said a consolidated emergency center is critical for the long-range well-being of the community. He said weaknesses in the local system have been identified recently during natural disasters, including the major ice storm last winter.
Brown said he will be watching the bill very closely in the next day or so as it makes its way through the Senate.
