Alternate EOC Still Works? Check.

Earlier this week, several DEM staff went out and fired up our old, Alternate Emergency Operations Center.  It might look old, but it still fired up!  We were able start up the computers, log in and gain access to necessary emergency management sites.  We were also able to verify that phone systems work and identify some alternate configurations and use of space that might fit the way we are structured today a bit better.

While the EOC still remains a functional command post, it was originally built as a nuke bunker and it has the distinct feel of being in a museum.  On the way out, I snapped the picture of the dedication plaque and thought I would share.  The Defense Civil Preparedness Agency was the predecessor of today's Federal Emergency Management Agency.  It was cool to see that our relationship with our federal partners goes back that far and still remains strong.

I still hope we never have to use it, but it is comforting to know that it is there and that, if we really had to, we could walk in today and get to work.