Pickens County broke ground Thursday, December 19, 2024 on a new state-of-the-art Emergency Services facility, funded in part by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This facility will contain large training rooms for EMS and five storage bays to house emergency management vehicles and equipment, ensuring that staff is prepared and that equipment is well maintained to meet the needs of the public. Construction is set to begin in early 2025, with an estimated completion date of February, 2026.

The ceremony was held at the project site, located behind the Pickens County Administration Building, symbolizing the start of a significant investment in the county’s emergency response infrastructure.

The facility, designed by architectural and design firm McMillan, Pazdan & Smith, will encompass 23,400 square feet. M.B. Kahn is set to begin construction in early 2025. The estimated time to completion is one year.

The state-of-the-art facility will enhance emergency services across Pickens County by centralizing operations and improving efficiency. It will house Pickens County EMS administration, training and logistics, as well as the Emergency Communications Center and E-911 staff. The building will also provide secure storage for emergency response equipment and vehicles.

Key Features of the Facility:

Top Floor:

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• A 12-position communications center with expansion capability for 24 positions
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• Training and meeting rooms for communications personnel
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• Fully secured areas for E-911 staff, along with kitchen, breakroom, locker and storage spaces
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• Office spaces for administrative and E-911 staff

Ground Floor:

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• Secure spaces for EMS administrative and logistics staff
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• Large training room and breakout rooms for EMS personnel
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• Adequate storage for EMS supplies, records, and controlled substances
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• Kitchen, breakroom, and shower facilities for EMS personnel
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• Climate-controlled logistics area for efficient loading and unloading

Emergency Vehicle Storage:

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• Five storage bays to house emergency management vehicles and equipment currently dispersed across the county, reducing maintenance issues and centralizing resources
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• Space for critical response assets, including a Mobile Command Post, emergency response rehab unit, emergency light towers, and backup power generators for critical facilities

“This new facility represents our commitment to providing the best possible emergency services to our residents,” said County Council Chair Chris Bowers. “It will not only centralize our operations but also position us to respond more effectively to emergencies for years to come.”