EMO sets groundbreaking for Operations Center

The CNMI Emergency Management Office will be initiating a $4 million project for the Development of the Emergency Operations Center with a groundbreaking ceremony on Capital Hill tomorrow, April 11.

The EOC project is expected to infuse fresh revenue into the CNMI’s economic base, as well as provide the CNMI with a true state-of-the-art command and control center to better equip the CNMI to address both man-made and natural disasters.

Acting EMO director Mark S. Pangelinan said: “The initiation of this project took place back in 2003 with the receipt of federal funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”). However, after so many changes on the A&E Design and after careful assessment of its functional operation, the EOC project is only now becoming a reality. Thanks to the support and guidance of the Administration and Governor Fitial, we can now look forward to the groundbreaking ceremony, construction, as well as the completion phase of such a significant project next year.”

EMO and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–Honolulu District office collaborated to ensure that all facets of design, planning and construction are completed according to plan.

James Hatashima, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–Honolulu District Senior Project Manager said: “It was truly a team effort to make this project a reality. The USACE-Honolulu District, is proud to have assisted the EMO to execute and acquire the necessary grant funds from FEMA to construct the EOC facility. The dedicated effort of the EMO staff should be commended along with FEMA for providing outstanding support to complete the design phase of this project. The USACE–Honolulu District also sincerely appreciates the support of Governor Fitial, in the continuation with the design phase of the project, which has resulted in the award of the construction contract to GPPC in February 2008.”

The FEMA-funded EOC was successfully awarded to GPPC, Inc.., while the USACE will provide engineering services as designated project engineers.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow, April 11, 2008, from 10am to 12pm. Those invited include government officials, island mayors, departmental heads of the emergency support agencies and several non-profit organizations such as the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands. [B][I](EMO)[/I][/B]