(GDN) — The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office got an early Christmas gift to help its response to large emergency situations.
At the December 7th county board meeting, the commissioners approved a budget amendment for the purchase of an Emergency Response Mobile Command Center.
Sheriff Larry Pierce told the commissioners there have been numerous incidents where the Mobile Command Center would have been useful, including the water rescue incident and subsequent body recovery operation on the Neuse River that lasted several days in March.
In some past incidents, Wayne County has had to utilize Johnston County’s Mobile Command Center.
Pierce says the Emergency Mobile Command Center will include a separate soundproof room that can be used for dispatchers, negotiators, or even meeting with family members.
Wayne County Manager Craig Honeycutt thanked Wayne County’s delegation in the N.C. General Assembly that secured the funding for the much-needed piece of equipment.
The Mobile Command Center has a price tag of approximately $903,000.
The new state budget includes $500,000 for the Mobile Command Center, and the county is hoping American Rescue Plan funding will cover the remaining cost.
