WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu secured $500,000 to support the construction of an emergency operations center in St. Helens, Oregon.  The center will benefit Columbia County communities by providing services during emergencies, training critical first responders, and helping mitigate future incidents.  Congressman Wu was the sole legislator to request funding for this project.

“The natural disasters that have struck Columbia County in recent years have exposed a critical need for disaster mitigation and emergency response capabilities,” said Wu.  “This shovel-ready project will provide vital services during an emergency, protecting the lives and homes of Columbia County residents.  In addition to enhancing public safety, construction of the emergency operations center will create jobs, resulting in immediate and long-term economic benefits for the region.”

The center will provide Columbia County with a coordinated information center, the hub for an incident command system, a secure community facility, and a central location to manage donated volunteer resources.

In collaboration with Columbia River Fire & Rescue, Columbia County Emergency Management plans to build the emergency operations center in a manner that is safe, fiscally responsible, and sustainable.  The completed center will be coupled with Columbia River Fire & Rescue’s existing regional training center to provide a unique training environment for first responders and emergency management personnel.

This project is included in the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill.  The House of Representatives today passed a final version of the legislation that represents House-Senate agreement on the projects to be funded.  The Senate is expected to pass the same final version and send the bill to President Barack Obama to sign into law shortly.