Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has secured one million dollars in federal funding for Snohomish County’s new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in a House funding bill passed by the Appropriations Committee this week. The Homeland Security appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009 – which includes the EOC funding for Snohomish County -- must pass the House and Senate before it can be signed into law.

“A modernized Emergency Operations Center will help state and local first responders coordinate their activities to respond effectively in any emergency,” said Larsen. “This Center will maximize our community’s ability to respond to any emergency we may face. I will continue working in Congress to give our first responders the tools they need to keep our community safe.” 

“Our proposed EOC will provide maximum security and flexibility during different types of disasters that might occur in Snohomish County,” Executive Aaron Reardon said. “Congressman Larsen’s appropriation is very welcome news, and we thank him for his efforts in securing this funding.”

The Snohomish County EOC will support state and local government and Washington National Guard operations in case of an emergency or natural disaster. The new facility will also serve as the primary administrative, training and operations location for the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management and the main training facility for first responders and community volunteers throughout the northwestern Washington region. This funding will allow Snohomish County to complete design and site work for the EOC, readying the site for construction.