One-Year Testimonial of Chatham County’s Emergency Management and 9-1-1 Communications Center

Just over a year after its doors officially opened, the new Chatham County Emergency Management and 9-1-1 Communications Center serves as a beacon for the community. The campus rests on forty acres of heavily wooded land in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and acts as the primary Public Safety Answering Point for the county. SCHRADERGROUP (SG) provided architectural and engineering services for the facility, and we are excited to see it benefit the community after its opening. The facility merges the Emergency Management and Communications Operations sectors to provide efficient solutions for those in need.

Steve Newton, Chatham County Emergency Management Director, comments on the facility’s benefits: “This past year we’ve not only enjoyed a beautiful new building with additional space and features, but also a mission critical facility with functionality, flexibility, and survivability designed into every space.”

The previous center was small and dim, without much room to spread out and work efficiently. The new hardened facility now has substantial amounts of natural light shining through the work areas, ample conference room space, a full kitchen with dining capabilities, ADA accessibility, collaboration spaces, and effective workstations equipped with up-to-date technology and the capacity to handle threat assessments and emergency operations swiftly. In emergencies, it is imperative to have reliable technology and enough space for comfort. Emergency responders need an environment conducive to high-stress situations. SG considered the nature of the work and the well-being of the responders when designing the facility, leading to its dynamic and practical layout.

Mike Reitz, Chatham County Emergency Communications Director adds, “Our staff in the 9-1-1 center provide a critical service to the community, one that is often stressful and emotionally draining. This new working environment is a breath of fresh air for them; the design of this facility had their mental health and well-being as a top priority. SCHRADERGROUP exceeded our expectations and delivered a welcoming space for our staff to use for many years to come.”

SG is pleased with the progress the Chatham County community has seen from the construction of the new center. We gain a sense of pride in knowing our buildings help provide a hub for emergency responders in times of crisis.

To view more of our Public Safety projects, click here.