FEMA Grant Of $1.5 Million Will Provide Emergency Shelter And Backup Emergency Operations Center In Claredon County 

Release Date: September 12, 2008
Release Number: R4-08-216

ATLANTA, Ga. -- A new facility that will serve as an emergency shelter and an alternative Emergency Operations Center in Clarendon County will benefit both special needs students and County Emergency Management staff during response to a disaster, according to officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The grant, administered through FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation program, will provide $1.5 million to the Clarendon County Disabilities and Special Needs Boards for the construction of the facility. When complete, the shelter will house and protect more than 1,000 students with cognitive disabilities from Clarendon, Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. During severe weather, when the chances of tornado are high, the shelter would house 200 students, faculty and staff that are present at this facility during normal hours.     

During a disaster, the facility will also serve as an alternate county Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Should the county's EOC become inoperable or damaged, the Maple Street facility will assure that critical response efforts will continue.

"Through projects like this one, we are reducing the risk that disasters pose to those with special needs. The facility will be equipped to handle a large influx of students, faculty and staff in extraordinary circumstances, and will offer protection to the regular population in the event of a tornado," said FEMA Region IV Administrator Phil May. "With the alternative use for the shelter as a backup EOC, this project is a sound investment in Clarendon County's future."

The $1.5 million grant represents a 70.8 percent federal share of the total project cost of $2,119,905. The remainder will come from non-federal sources.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Sep-2008 16:42:11