Moving WW emergency operations center/dispatch to city hall being considered
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, July 17th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – As work continues to relocate the Walla Walla County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Walla Walla Emergency Services Communication Center (WESCOM), one possible location is the basement of Walla Walla City Hall, 15 N. Third Ave., one block west of their current location at 27 N. Second Ave.
Walla Walla City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain informed the Walla Walla County Emergency Management Executive Board Tuesday afternoon about the availability of approximately 5,000 square feet in the city hall basement, which could be a cost-effective option compared to moving to a yet-to-be-constructed building. However, the basement would need seismic upgrades to meet federal standards.
Walla Walla County has received two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants totaling $1.75 million to assist with relocation, with deadlines set for July 31, 2025, and April 30, 2026.
“The grant funding will likely not cover full relocation costs, and the entities involved will need to work through how to fund the gap,” Chamberlain explained.
WESCOM serves a broad area, including Walla Walla County and the cities of College Place and Walla Walla, along with six fire districts. The current facility, built in 1971, lacks the design for emergency communications nor as an emergency operations center. The downtown Walla Walla facility also has the Mill Creek channel running alongside its basement where the 911 center’s equipment is housed.
Another potential site owned by the Port of Walla Walla was found unsuitable. The planning for relocation began before a local tax measure, Proposition 1, which would increase sales tax to fund emergency services improvements, was proposed. However, this relocation project is not contingent upon the outcome of the Aug. 5 vote.
Photo via the city of Walla Walla
