Emergency Communications and Emergency Op Center
Virginia Beach, VA
The existing Virginia Beach emergency communications center has struggled to operate efficiently in a 5,000-square-foot space, offering no options for in-place expansion to satisfy its needs. Faced with this dilemma, the City of Virginia Beach commissioned Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc. (HSMM) to design and provide construction administration services for the new 25,850-square-foot Virginia Beach Emergency Communications Center (ECC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC). CTA Communications, Inc., an HSMM company, was selected to provide communication services and develop the communications “cutover” plan so that the communications equipment will transfer the 9-1-1 operations seamlessly.
The first floor of the two-story rectangular structure includes a public entrance, a separate entry for staff and service personnel, administrative spaces, a training/classroom, a large conference room, an EOC, communications equipment, and other support functions. The training/classroom and large conference room are designed to serve as supplemental EOC spaces during a community emergency. The designated EOC area may be used for conference or training space when it is not in use.
The secure-access second floor houses the Operations Room, supervisor and training offices, as well as staff support functions such as a kitchen, indoor and outdoor break rooms, fitness room, quiet room, showers, and other comfort facilities. The Operations Room and its support areas are specifically designed to enhance employee comfort as well as create an atmosphere promoting work efficiency.
The Operations Room’s large open area, designed to accommodate 38 universal workstations for call-taking and dispatching, is surrounded by windows that allow natural lighting in the Operations Room. Features such as ergonomic dispatch consoles, natural lighting, convenient support facilities, and concealed security provisions also help provide essentials for employee well-being and retention
