Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, center, cuts the ceremonial ribbon officially opening the Interior Operations Center, a state-of-the-art communications facility that will improve the Department's ability to respond to emergencies and natural disasters. At right is Larry Parkinson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Law Enforcement and Security; second from right is Larry Broun, Director of the Office of Emergency Management; at far left is Chuck Franklin, Office of Emergency Management. [Photo by Tami Heilemann, NBC] Hi-Res

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne officially opened the Interior Operations Center at the Department's Headquarters Building, saying the new state-of-the-art facility will be a valuable tool that will significantly improve the Department's ability to receive instantaneous "situational awareness" and allow Interior leaders to more effectively coordinate response activities with federal. state and local agencies. The 5,000-square foot center, which occupies the west side of the 3400 Corridor, provides secure ground, net, radio and satellite communications; uninterrupted power supply and independent HVAC systems; redundant network and phone systems; classified material briefing facilities; multi-screen geo-spacial display capabilities; and other 21st century communications equipment. The IOC hosts the Department's 24/7 Watch Office, which is manned around the clock to monitor law enforcement and security and emergency situations, as well as state-of-the-art conferencing capabilities.