Williamson County Texas Approves Revolutionary Emergency Command Center
Site selection is currently underway for an $18 million Emergency Services Operations Center (ESOC) in Williamson County, TX. The new central facility will provide all neighboring emergency personnel, the media, local and federal government officials, including Homeland Security, a protected hub or “war room” in which to promptly respond to any type of large-scale crisis from natural disasters to terrorism.
Preliminary plans for the “hardened” compound incorporate the most advanced communications technology available, independent power and water sources, administrative offices, and multifunctional rooms. These significant components will protect first responders while allowing them the ability to assess, manage, and overcome local hazards and threats. The dual-purpose center, which is slated for completion in December 2012, will also be available for employee trainings and meetings, as well as public events.
County Commissioners selected a premier team to create this important project, which includes Parsons’ Austin, TX office, CA-based Leach Mounce Architects and TX-based Moman Architects. Spearheading the project is the world-renowned firm, Parsons, which is most recently known for the Danish Railway Network upgrade and four new military installations for the U.S. Department of Defense located in San Antonio, TX. Howard Leach, Principal of Leach Mounce, has designed more than 50 emergency command centers throughout the country and is developing all critical systems for the project. Moman Architects, an award-winning commercial architecture, design and planning firm, is assisting with site selection and will design all interior public spaces.
“A quick and coordinated response is vital to saving lives and property in a major disaster,” says Leach. “The Williamson County ESOC is being designed with optimum adjacencies, user-friendly reliable operating systems and durable construction to enhance interagency cooperation and sustainability under difficult circumstances.”
As part of the fastest growing Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA’s) in the country, Williamson County knew it was necessary to add the highly specialized ESOC, in order to increase its lifesaving capabilities. This decision will reinforce the Central Texas area’s position as one of the safest and most popular counties in the nation. “The safety of our citizens is of the upmost importance making the ESOC a paramount project for the county and surrounding cities,” says John Moman, Round Rock Council Member and Principal of Moman Architects. “Our team is honored to add this building to our portfolio.”