Providence Emergency Management Agency Breaks Ground on Expanded Operations Center

$2.1 million federally funded project to add 9,236 square feet to expand regional training facility.

Mayor Angel Taveras joined today with U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Providence Emergency Management Agency Director Peter Gaynor and other elected officials for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating construction of a new addition to PEMA's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Providence.

The $2.1 million project, funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will add 9,236 square feet to create a regional training facility and a new garage at PEMA's headquarters on Charles Street.

Providence served as the lead applicant for the grant in partnership with the surrounding communities of East Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Warwick, West Warwick, North Providence, Cranston and Johnston.

"Providence was the first city in the nation to receive national accreditation of its emergency management agency, and this expansion of PEMA's facility further establishes PEMA as one of the best municipal emergency response units in the nation," said Mayor Taveras. "The construction of PEMA's expanded facility will help create jobs in our city, and will ensure that Greater Providence is well prepared to meet the challenge of any emergency."

Congressman David Cicilline championed the grant application locally during his tenure as the mayor of Providence. Senator Reed, with support from Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Jim Langevin, led the effort to secure federal funding for the expansion.

"I am pleased to have helped secure $980,000 in federal funds to construct this new Emergency Operations Center and training facility for the Providence Emergency Management Agency," said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee. "This project will help strengthen emergency preparedness and make communities in the Providence metro area safer."

"I was honored to join my colleagues today to announce these federal funds for the construction of PEMA's expanded, regional training facility, which will help to improve emergency preparedness in Providence and its surrounding communities," said Senator Whitehouse. "I particularly want to commend Congressman Cicilline, who worked to secure this funding during his time as mayor."

In 2006, PEMA was awarded a Federal Emergency Management Technical Assistance review. Following a detailed on-site analysis in 2007, several shortfalls were identified within PEMA's headquarters, including inadequate space within the existing facility for administrative and emergency operations.

The EOC expansion that officially began this afternoon will allow PEMA to attain an efficient and effective EOC capable of coordinating regional emergency response, communications, and rapid public warning. The new facility will greatly enhance the physical plant of the EOC and provide enough space to ensure that there will be a ready, around-the-clock presence within PEMA's headquarters.

PEMA is the lead agency responsible for managing the Greater Providence Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) and Providence Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) regions. Upon completion of the renovated Providence EOC, the facility will be equipped to provide needed emergency support and coordination to neighboring communities within the region. This project will create a regional capability in the center of Rhode Island's most densely populated area.

"The completion of this fully integrated and modern Emergency Operations Center will have an exceptional benefit not only to the City of Providence but to the entire region," said PEMA Director Gaynor. "The Providence EOC facility will be available in the event of a large disaster in their communities. With a state-of-the-art operational EOC, the entire Greater Providence area will have a facility capable of providing assistance and interoperability to the entire metropolitan region."