Designs for NEOC building halfway complete

Designs for new National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) are now halfway complete.

In a progress update this week, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) said a draft of the designs have also been sent to the Project Support Services Unit in the Ministry of Finance.

Director of Projects in the ministry, Dr Drexel Glasgow said the draft includes mechanical and electrical drawings as well as drafts for an Environmental Management Plan and a Health and Safety Plan. He added that the ministry will soon provide feedback to Virella, Crespo and Association — the Puerto Rican company hired to provide design consultancy services.

“Considering the use of the facility before, during and after emergencies and disasters as well as to support continuity of government operations, we will ensure that the designs meet the highest standards. We also want to ensure that following its completion the facility can perform efficiently in terms of energy and water consumption,” Dr Glasgow said.

“We are advancing at a good pace with this project. We understand the urgency in getting the NEOC facility constructed but we also want to ensure that the designs are given the attention needed,” the Director of Projects added.

Dr Glasgow noted that the finance ministry is also procuring emergency communications and early warning equipment that he said will be needed to support the operations of the facility and the work of the DDM.

“The procurement process for these items has already begun and we are in the last stages of securing the services of a project supervisor who will oversee the installation works. A lot is happening in this regard and we are excited that these projects are advancing at a steady pace.”

The design phase of the NEOC project is expected to conclude in December.

Disaster-resistant NEOC building will house gov’t in event of catastrophe