54644122611 4695835Da2 O Scaled E1752161900436 — Inside the renovated AEMA State Emergency Operations Center (Governor’s Office / Hal Yeager)

When the Alabama Emergency Management Agency’s operations facility first opened in 1991, it was considered state-of-the-art with some even comparing it to the capabilities of the Pentagon at the time.

But after more than three decades without major changes, the EMA’s building became tired and outdated. Until now.

This week, the agency held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Chilton County facility to unveil $2.9 million worth of renovations to the inside of the building. The EMA has been out of the building for over a year but will once again have a building to call home full-time now.

“Alabama is not just better prepared. We are setting the standard. Our state operations center is now a national model for how states can lead the way in emergency response.”
Gov. Kay Ivey

Keep reading to find out more about the renovations + how it will help the EMA serve the entire state.

Alabama Emergency Management Agency

54644350739 4A7A6A3Afd O — Gov. Kay Ivey gave remarks, participated in the ribbon cutting and took a brief tour of the renovated AEMA State Emergency Operations Center. (Governor’s Office / Hal Yeager)

The center serves as a hub for different state agencies, utility providers and the National Weather Service to coordinate responses for emergency situations including severe weather events.

One major change to the agency’s building is the amount of space available, especially in large conference rooms + meeting spaces.

The original building was designed when the agency had roughly 25 employees. It now has around 90.

54644122816 73247E18Bf O — (Governor’s Office / Hal Yeager)

According to EMA Acting Director Jeff Smitherman, the entire building was gutted to the frame and restructured with new plumbing, wiring and technology.

The goal is to have the facility work more efficiently both on an every day basis and during emergency situations.