JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – Following a recent contract award, a new $13.8 million Emergency Management Operations Center will ensure Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, remains on course to be the Installation of the Future.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division, Mobile District, awarded the project to Roundhouse PBN-Tepa EC Joint Venture, a Georgia-based construction company Aug. 30.
“Because of Tyndall’s coastal, hurricane-prone location, resiliency, sustainability and smart technology are critical to mission assurance,” said Peter Sartori, project manager for the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Natural Disaster Recovery Division. “When constructed, this facility will demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing conditions; and withstand, respond to and recover from any climatic or other mission disruptions.”
The current emergency operations facility, an old water plant, survived when Hurricane Michael hit Tyndall, in October 2018, but it sustained significant damage. Although it was renovated, it’s undersized and insufficient to direct the recovery functions that followed in the wake of the hurricane’s destruction. Since no other viable option currently exists, the new facility will enable the 325th Fighter Wing to adequately support mission requirements through its EOC as well as provide space for other operations.
“Space has been the biggest challenge with the current facility,” said Marty Spikes, 325th FW Readiness and Emergency Flight chief. “During hurricanes, we have approximately 55 personnel who ride the storm out in the emergency management building. Also, during the emergency operation center activation, space is very limited for emergency support function personnel to work in support of the incident commander to mitigate an event.”
The new 21,000-square-foot facility will be stronger and more resilient with a reinforced concrete-grade beam foundation and floor slab, masonry walls with accents of metal panel and precast concrete, structural steel roof framing, standing seam metal and built up roofing systems. The project will also include a backup generator, security enhancements and other supporting work necessary to make a complete and usable facility.
“The new center will provide plenty of work and shelter space for emergency functions to support the incident commander during events that affect Tyndall AFB,” Spikes said.
Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed within two years.