SAN FERNANDO : City Moves on New Emergency Center
In the first step toward building a new firing range and emergency communications center, the San Fernando City Council has asked its city attorney to investigate the legality of pre-qualifying bidders for the project.
The new, $260,000 facility is designed to replace the antiquated emergency center and firing range at the old police station on MacNeil Street.
Police were unable to use the radios at the emergency center immediately after the Northridge earthquake because there is no emergency power available in the old facility. The new facility will have a separate power generator.
“The idea of the emergency communications center is that we’re able to go to a group of people at the center and they have shortwave radios and they are able to get a message to the outside world,” said Lt. Rico Castro of the San Fernando Police Department.
Monday’s City Council action directs City Attorney Julia Silva to determine whether the city can pre-qualify bidders before opening the bidding process, said city Finance Director Mike Moon.
“It’s trying to get the bid list down to people who know how to do the project,” Moon said.
The state will fund about $190,000 for the new facility, which would be built adjoining the new police station at 910 1st St. The remaining funds will be paid for by the city, Moon said.
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