Warwick unveils new emergency operations center with updated technology

Source Domain: turnto10.com

WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — City leaders in Warwick unveiled a new emergency operations center Wednesday, saying the upgraded facility will improve coordination and help first responders react faster during emergencies.

The new center is located inside Potowomut Fire Station 10 and replaces the city’s previous emergency operations space, which officials said had been in use for nearly 70 years.

The project was funded in part through a more than $530,000 federal grant secured in 2024 by U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner.

“A fast response means lives will be saved, that’s the whole point of this operations center,” Magaziner said.

The new center is located inside Potowomut Fire Station 10 and replaces the city’s previous emergency operations space, which officials said had been in use for nearly 70 years. (WJAR)

Warwick Fire Chief Peter McMichael said the city was actually able to save money in doing this project.

“We saved over half a million dollars on this project by moving into an already existing structure and moving out of a decrepit old standalone building,” McMichael said.

Officials said the new operations center includes updated technology and a more modern space for first responders to communicate and coordinate during emergencies.

With about 20,000 calls a year, the center is also expected to serve as a regional hub for neighboring communities like Cranston, East Greenwich, and South Kingstown.

Officials said the new operations center includes updated technology and a more modern space for first responders to communicate and coordinate during emergencies. (WJAR)

The city also plans to integrate its newly announced first responder drone program into the center.

Warwick fire officials, working with local police, said they are still in the early stages of bringing that program into the new facility.

“It’s going to be a game changer for public safety,” McMichael said. “Warwick is the first city in Rhode Island that’s going to have this too, and so we will…

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