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California Breaks Ground on New Southern Regional Emergency Operations Center

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Governor Gavin Newsom has marked a significant milestone in California's emergency preparedness with the groundbreaking of a new 60,000 sq. ft. Southern Regional Emergency Operations Center. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a vital hub for coordinating operations, supporting local governments, and protecting Southern California communities from disasters and emergencies. The new center will be strategically located in Costa Mesa, California, and is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new Southern Regional Emergency Operations Center will cover 60,000 sq. ft. and will be located in Costa Mesa, California.
  • The facility will serve as a strategic hub for coordinating operations, supporting local governments, and protecting Southern California communities from disasters and emergencies.
  • The center will be commissioned by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and delivered by the Department of General Services (DGS).
  • The facility will be designed to meet Zero Net Energy standards, LEED Gold, featuring onsite solar photovoltaic panels, battery energy storage systems, and emergency generators designed to ensure uninterrupted operations during extended outages or disasters.
  • The site will serve as a failsafe to the current state emergency operations center located outside Sacramento in Mather, California.
  • The new facility will enhance the state's response capabilities, particularly in the face of wildfires, earthquakes, flooding, and other threats.
  • The center will be equipped with a 39,000 sq. ft. office building, a 21,000 sq. ft. warehouse, and essential infrastructure enhancements.
  • The project is part of California's broader vision to safeguard Californians in the face of natural disasters and emergencies.
  • The facility will accommodate surge capacity during an emergency and complement the existing State Operations Center in Mather.

Statistics:

  • The new facility will serve nearly 23 million residents across Southern California.
  • The center will be strategically located in Orange County, one of the most heavily populated and hazard-prone areas in the state.
  • The facility will be built on a 15-acre property within the former Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa.
  • The center will feature onsite solar photovoltaic panels, battery energy storage systems, and emergency generators.
  • The facility is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Sources:

  • News release by Governor Gavin Newsom
  • California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)

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