SUPES TO CONSIDER $7.26 M EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER: FACILITY INTENDED TO COORDINATE AREA'S RESPONSE

August 17, 2009 7:05 AM

With the La Brea Fire still raging in the North County and other recent blazes still fresh in the minds of residents, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider approving plans for a $7.26 million Emergency Operations Center.

Back from a four-week summer recess, the board will vote on the plans for the proposed 9,922-square-foot facility, which is ready to go out for bids, according to a board agenda letter. The board will also mull over accepting financial contributions for the construction, as well as authorizing county staff to advertise the project for construction bids.

"The primary purpose of the Emergency Operations Center is to serve as a single focal point for the management of information, policy making and resource support and allocating during all phases of a local emergency," according to the letter. "The county, which is the lead agency for the operational area, as well as recent Grand Jury investigations, has recognized the need to replace the current trailers, (an) interim facility shared with the Employees University program and build a permanent structure that will fully meet the needs of the county."

The Austin Company -- an architectural and engineering firm experienced in EOC design -- has determined the best spot for the building would be in the area of Cathedral Oaks, and the facility would include a 2,000 square-foot incident management room, two break-out rooms, a management conference room, a joint information center and support space for geographic information systems and Channel 20/amateur radio emergency service, according to the report. The structure would feature an emergency generator, six offices, a reception workstation, a break room and restrooms with showers.

A card-activated system would open gates to the facility, which would be enclosed by a fence, as well as some interior rooms.

Construction is proposed to get underway early next year, and should bids come in lower than anticipated, there are proposed additions, such as extra space in the incident management room.

The project's total cost is estimated at $7.26 million, with construction being $5 million of that, and the county would pay $950,000 in the current fiscal year.

The board will also consider allowing the county executive officer to accept financial contributions to put toward the project, but only if "there are no caveats or obligations placed upon the county by accepting the contributions," according to the report.

The board will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building, 105 Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.

e-mail: apacheco@newspress.com