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Pulaski County approves emergency operations upgrades, generator purchase and EOC relocation plan
Summary
Fiscal Court approved a $29,200 propane generator purchase, awarded a contract to move the emergency operations center and accepted other emergency-management measures aimed at improving redundancy and disaster response.
Pulaski County Fiscal Court approved multiple emergency-preparedness measures Friday, including purchase of a propane backup generator for $29,200, relocation of the county Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to a separate facility and a contract award to handle the EOC move and related technology work.
Emergency management coordinator Chris Ranshaw told the court he had drafted a winter-storm plan after taking the role and described several changes intended to improve county response, including establishing an on-site Red Cross presence, pursuing K‑9 certification for county teams and naming Derek Denny as county search-and-rescue coordinator.
Ranshaw said the generator quote, including installation labor, is $29,200 and described the unit as propane-fueled and convertible to natural gas in the future. "Cost of generator, including labor is $29,200," Ranshaw said during the discussion. The Fiscal Court voted to buy the generator (motion by Mister Sprunk; second by Mister Turpin) and the motion passed.
On the larger EOC issue, Ranshaw argued the current co-location of the EOC and 911 limited operational space and distracted dispatch during full activations. He presented two bids — about $28,000 and about $29,000 — to move the EOC to the facility where his office is located, citing better access to major routes and room for extended operations. After discussion of contract structures and pricing, the court awarded the contract for the EOC move to Connected Technologies (motion by Mister Wrenchall; second by Mister Strunk) and the motion passed.
Ranshaw also described plans to develop a pre‑authorized contracting list for large-disaster debris removal and other services so the county can activate contractors quickly if local resources are overwhelmed. He contrasted fixed, pre‑paid block contracts with pay‑as‑used hourly arrangements and recommended the latter for cost efficiency.
Court members asked about grant and state funding options. Ranshaw said there is no specific federal program currently available to fund the EOC relocation, but he is pursuing Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funds and other possible sources; the court’s emergency management budget was identified as the funding source for immediate purchases.
The actions approve a combination of one-time purchases and a contract award designed to provide redundant communications, regular system testing and a relocation that separates 911 operations from the EOC to reduce operational interference.
