Category: Public Safety
SCHRADERGROUP Project to be Featured in 2014 Justice Facilities Review
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to announce that one of the firm’s recent projects, the new Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) State Emergency Operations Center, will be featured in the 2014 Justice Facilities Review (JFR), published each fall by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice. The new facility, designed by SG in a joint venture with AECOM, was chosen as an example of best practices in planning and design in Emergency Management and Operations Facilities.
New State Emergency Operations Center – Public Entry
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), located in Susquehanna Township, Pennsylvania, provides dedicated emergency services and disaster assistance for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with the ability to sustain uninterrupted operations during activations. The 145,000 SF facility additionally houses the administrative functions for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) as well as partner organizations and integrated functions such as the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Traffic Management, a Tier 3 data center, media briefing, training facilities, and protected storage for PEMA operations vehicles.
State Emergency Operations Center Interior
Firm managing partner and lead designer for the project, David Schrader, commented, “Designing a building that meets all security and survivability requirements for a facility of this type, while at the same time providing sufficient space and functionality for all users along with an attractive interior and exterior, undeniably was a challenge. We are pleased with the outcome and extremely proud of the recognition by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice.”
Recently featured on a local news station, the new facility presently is under construction, with completion slated for spring of 2015.
SCHRADERGROUP Principal Presents at NENA Conference
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) firm principal, David Schrader, presented at NENA (National Emergency Number Association) 2014 Conference and Expo in Nashville, TN, along with Brian Bark from Mission Critical Partners, on “Planning and Designing Your New PSAP or EOC Facility and Technology Integration.” David, nationally-recognized for the planning and design of public safety and mission critical facilities, is a frequent presenter and speaker on topics relevant to this particular project type. For additional information about public safety and mission critical projects completed by SG, please visit our website.
David Schrader of SG co-presents with Brian Bark of Mission Critical Partners at NENA 2014
SCHRADERGROUP Completing Programming and Planning Study for Bradford County Emergency Operations Center
SCHRADERGROUP (SG) is pleased to be providing public safety programming and planning services for the design of a new County Emergency Operations and Multi-Agency Training Facility for Bradford County. The new facility is intended to serve the various emergency response organizations, local industry, and municipal government in the County/Region. It will include fire, medical, law enforcement and hazardous materials, and potentially be expanded to provide training services for natural gas drilling operations and related services as well as general industry.
Following completion of a needs assessment, a design for a new facility will be developed to house the County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as well as a training facility. The facility and proposed site would incorporate various training components to include classroom technology, shooting range, fire, EMS, hazardous material, and technical rescue training, as well as specialized natural gas drilling, pipeline, and typical fire training structures.
SCHRADERGROUP Completes Programming and Planning Study for Lubbock Emergency Communication District
With a specific expertise in public safety facility design, SCHRADERGROUP (SG) frequently performs programming and planning studies for project types that include mission critical and law enforcement facilities. Together with communications systems planning firm Mission Critical Partners, SG recently performed a Programming and Planning Study for Lubbock Emergency Communication District (LECD) in Lubbock, Texas. As part of the project, existing space and usage was evaluated and a thorough programming effort was conducted to determine future space needs. Site analysis and cost estimates were developed for options which included remaining in the current existing facility and expanding to meet all needs, fitting out a different existing facility, and constructing a new facility. An assessment of the best strategic location for the facility also was conducted.
Ultimately, LECD decided to pursue a new construction option and retained SG to complete the project. Presently in schematic design, the new approximately 10,750 SF facility will provide dedicated space for the LECD Backup Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), training facilities, data center, and administrative offices.