One million dollars for Snohomish County’s new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has passed the House as part of a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through March 6, 2009.  U.S. Representative Rick Larsen secured the funding to help coordinate state and local government and Washington National Guard operations in case of an emergency or natural disaster. The legislation must clear the Senate before the President can sign it into law.  

“A modernized Emergency Operations Center will help our state and local first responders coordinate their efforts to protect our community in any emergency,” said Larsen. “This Center will improve Snohomish County’s ability to respond to any disaster we may face.” 

The new facility will serve as the primary administrative, training and operations location for the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management and the main training facility for first responders and community volunteers throughout the Northwestern Washington region. One million in federal funding will allow Snohomish County to complete design and site work for the EOC, readying the site for construction.