Elberta council approves purchases for new saferoom

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 9/6/21

ELBERTA - During the August council meeting, the Elberta council approved a list of the first purchases that will be made to go inside the brand-new saferoom. Once furnished, the saferoom will …

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Elberta council approves purchases for new saferoom

Posted

ELBERTA - During the August council meeting, the Elberta council approved a list of the first purchases that will be made to go inside the brand-new saferoom. Once furnished, the saferoom will operate as an emergency operations center for the town police and fire departments, as well as being open to neighboring municipalities’ first responders during emergency events.

“The saferoom has been turned over to us, it is officially the town’s now, and of course it’s an empty building,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Kirkpatrick. “C Spire has got the internet in there. Now it needs monitors. Basically one would be a virtual link between us and EMA and one would be strictly for weather, and then we’d have enhanced monitors when we’re having presentations or are monitoring situations.”

The building houses operation spaces for the police department and the fire department, as well as an IT room to secure servers and data. Police Chief Clif Roberts and Fire Chief Nick Scheer have composed lists of initial items their respective departments need. Both departments have now begun ordering the items needed to supply the saferoom. The estimated cost on initial purchases is $8,440. The council approved the items not to exceed $10,000.

Councilmember Vicky Norris said at one time there was talk of hosting an Open House once the saferoom was operational to let the public view the building and get an understanding of how it would operate during emergency situations. She said once the items were in place, she was interested in seeing an Open House planned for the public.