Photo By Chris Gray | A garage for the fire engines of Fire Station 2 stands ready to receive them in...... read more read more
JOPLIN, Mo. — The city of Joplin, in conjunction with FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, held a public viewing of the first critical public infrastructure project completed to date for the city.
“What a difference about five weeks makes,” said Joplin Fire Chief Mitch Randles. “Everything you see here today is the result of hard work by FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers and of course, my staff, to get these buildings and facilities back up so we can continue our service to the city of Joplin.”
“It’s tough to take any pleasure in anything that happened after the tornado that we had on May 22, but this event here allows us to do so, at least for a change of pace,” said Mike Karl, FEMA’s Joplin Division supervisor. “Public safety – in particular fire safety – is an important part of any community, and I would argue that it’s probably more important now in the storm ravaged area as people are coming back … They want to know that they are protected in case something does happen here.”
The construction of two temporary fire stations was identified under the critical public facilities mission, given to the Corps by FEMA, which allows the Corps to build temporary public facilities while longer term repairs are made of more permanent replacement structures are built.
“I’m proud to represent the Corps of Engineers today and turn over our first completed facility for the City of Joplin and hand over the keys to Chief Randles,” said Col. Daniel Patton, commander of the Corps’ Recovery Field Office.
While Fire Station 2 has been the first completed critical public facilities project completed to date, Fire Station 4 (also damaged in the tornado), is expected to be completed July 3, said Don Braun, area engineer for the Corps. This project took just over two weeks to construct.
“In 15 days, we went from nothing to this,” said Braun of the new facilities on South Maiden, near St. John’s Regional Medical Center.
The new buildings and facilities include a 24-foot by 36-foot modular unit with two bedrooms, two offices, full bathroom and shower, full kitchen and common/recreation area; a 36-foot by 57-foot portable tent structure garage capable of housing two fire trucks and associated gear; and a storm shelter to accommodate four people (the amount of firefighters at the station at any given time).
The construction company, Intelligent Investments, was given the notice to proceed with construction on June 18. The company, a local service-disabled veteran-owned small business, usually focuses on permanent structures, such as single-family homes and affordable housing solutions.
“This is the first time we’ve actually done a fire station, and it’s been an honor to do it because these guys were out there that night,” Raul Gonzales, president of Intelligent Investments, said of the fire crew who were present at the viewing today. “We work here, we live here and we love to serve our community,” said the Texas native who has called Joplin home for more than 13 years.
While the fire department is still looking for a permanent home, the temporary facilities will serve as station two for the next year to 18 months, said Randles. He also expressed gratitude to Pierce Manufacturing for loaning the station a new fire truck to replace Engine Two, which was destroyed by the tornado.
“The citizens have come to expect a level of service and care from us and from day one we felt like it was very necessary to maintain that service,” said Randles. “Being able to keep the crew here will keep them within several minutes closer than we would have been if we were responding out of one of the other stations or just trying to roam the area. It also gives the community a place to look to that they’re familiar with … to look for help and come get help if they would need it. And that’s why it’s been so important to get our presence back on this location.”
Following a natural disaster or emergency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can manage the construction of temporary critical facilities for impacted communities as part of the federal government’s unified national response. When an event has left critical public facilities destroyed or severely damaged and unable to be used and FEMA activates this mission, the Corps helps build these facilities for use while longer term repairs are made or more permanent replacement structures are built. The critical public facilities mission can include constructing temporary fire stations, schools, medical facilities and more, depending on the needs of the impacted communities.
For information on the Joplin Tornado Response or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visit http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/index.cfm.
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2011 20:42 |
| Story ID: | 73133 |
| Location: | JOPLIN, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 190 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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