EAGLE RIVER, MI— Keweenaw County officials are seeking public input on what the new Emergency Operations Center should look like.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity recently gave the county a $50,000 grant to plan the center.
Sheriff Curt Pennala says officials need a storage facility for search and rescue teams. They also want to have an in-person and virtual training center for multiple agencies.
Pennala says the center would also allow agencies a place to coordinate efforts during times of emergency.
“We saw in COVID-19 a large-scale public health response. We didn’t have a facility to accommodate that, so if that was to happen again—or any type of large-scale disaster—we have a place where multiple agencies can gather together and coordinate that response.”
Residents can complete an online survey to indicate what other needs the center could meet. A public meeting will also be held February 21st at 5 p.m. at the Keweenaw County Courthouse.
The planning phase is expected to last about 18 months.
