The Kansas Division of Emergency Management broke ground an addition to the State Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday at the Kansas National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters Complex in Topeka.
The $21 million project draws from state funding and the federal American Rescue Plan Act to renovate the 54-year-old building. Once completed it will comply with modern construction codes, have necessary storm shelter requirements, have backup power generators and geothermal heating systems in both the additional wing and the already-existing State Defense Building.
“The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has outgrown the current facility as their mission scope has increased,” said Johnathan York, the response and recovery bureau director for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management. “The renovated built building and facility will significantly improve KDEM’s capabilities, including increased communication, collaboration and training, as well as the ability to conduct missions at the Emergency Operations Center.”