Dedication set for Emergency Operations Center
By Kalen Ponche
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 3:13 AM CDT
The northern end of St. Charles County will have a working Emergency Operations Center just in time for the flooding season.
St. Charles County Councilman Jerry Daugherty, D-District 6, started working on creating an Emergency Operations Center in January of 2008. Work is expected to be completed by the dedication scheduled for Saturday.
The Emergency Operations Center is located inside the old St. Francis of Assisi school at the intersection of Second and Farnham streets.
The facility will provide first responders, from police officers to firefighters, a central headquarters from which to work during an emergency situation.
"I think the main thing is during a flood or a tornado we'll have a central spot for people to get information," Daugherty said. "Last year we handed out food and water and cleaning supplies to people who were flooded."
In the past during flood or ice storms, the emergency responders didn't have a place to work.
"In the 1993 flood, our emergency operations center was a johnboat and a bag phone with a can of Spam and a jar of pickles," Daugherty said.
Finding a place to build a headquarters has been a lifelong dream for Daugherty, he said.
Work began on the project last January and by the time the Mississippi started to flood last spring, an elevated floor had been installed and phone lines were being put in.
Four lateral filing cabinets and office furniture were donated, Daugherty said. AmerenUE donated three computer systems and AT&T ran DSL service to the room. The project also received cash donations from the Land Between the Rivers Historical Society and an individual.
The money allowed organizers to purchase map cases that also were elevated. Now city maps and documents can come out of Mayor Mark Warner, the city clerk and Jerry Daugherty's homes.
The project also gives the city of Portage des Sioux a place from which to build a city website and a location for people to get information.
The city has planned a dedication ceremony from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday outside the center.
Daugherty said he hopes to recognize all of the people who helped the project come together. County Executive Steve Ehlmann will be the keynote speaker and the Orchard Farm High School marching band will perform. Area fire departments are expected to have fire trucks on display. Daugherty said a helicopter might touch down as well.
The Land Between the Rivers Historical Museum, located in the same building as the operation center, will be open to visitors.
Attendees are asked to RSVP to Mayor Mark Warner so the city can buy enough food.
Want to go?
WHAT: Dedication for the Portage des Sioux Emergency Operations Center and City Hall
WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday
WHERE: Farnham and Second streets, Portage des Sioux; located inside the old St. Francis school building
EVENTS: Presentation of colors; keynote speaker St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann; barbecue pork steak lunch; performance by Orchard Farm High School marching band; displays from emergency response agencies
REGISTER: RSVP to Mayor Mark Warner at 636-899-0640 or mwsparky@sbcglobal.net
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