The Whatcom Unified Emergency Coordination Center will hold an open house from 10 a.m. until noon on Friday, July 18.
The facility, at 3888 Sound Way in Bellingham, will house emergency management offices for both the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County. Eventually, it will also house a 911 dispatch center.
The center includes a 12,000 square foot central work area, five conference rooms, a communications/radio room, and two different work spaces to assemble emergency response.
The Port of Bellingham, Whatcom County, and the City of Bellingham will share the operating expense of the new center.
Phillips 66 awarded a $50,000 grant to the Whatcom Community Foundation for the project. BP Cherry Point Refinery repurposed more than $300,000 worth of unused computers, audio-visual equipment and other technology, office supplies, and furniture from BP facilities around the country for the center.
“This is exactly the kind of effort that makes me proud of Whatcom County,” said County Executive Jack Louws. “Everyone looked around to figure out what they could bring to the table. As a result, we have an incredible new asset that we hope we’ll never have to use.”
Speakers at the event include Louws, Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville, Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo, Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Newbold, and Port of Bellingham Real Estate Director Shirley McFearin.
