WILL COUNTY EXPECTED TO BE HOME TO NATION'S HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM FACILITY MODEL

JOLIET - Will County officials this morning announced plans for a public-private partnership to construct what is anticipated to be the standard-setting National Incident Management Standards facility as outlined in the Department of Homeland Security grant program.

Will County Executive Lawrence M. Walsh and Will County Board Chairman James Moustis announced that the Will County Board is scheduled to vote on a resolution at its Thursday meeting that authorizes Walsh to negotiate and execute an agreement with Patron Systems Inc. to construct the facility in New Lenox.

“It would be a huge understatement to say we are thrilled to be the home of this facility,” said Walsh. “This model will almost certainly be followed at sites across the nation.

“We’re proud to be able to say that Patron Systems Incorporated came to Will County first.”

Moustis agreed. “This is an excellent example of public/private partnership accelerating the development and improvement of needed government services.

“It also proves what Will County can do.”  

Joining Walsh and Moustis at the press conference were:

Major General Bruce M. Lawlor (Ret.), Chairman of CRA, which specializes in terrorism prevention and response, the first Chief of Staff of the Department of Homeland Security and a member of Patron System Inc.’s advisory board;

Major General Michael W. Davidson (Ret.), former member Joint Chiefs of Staff, and member of Patron System Inc.’s advisory board;

The facility is expected to open Sept. 11, 2005.

Lawlor said, “This facility is important example of the new Homeland Security initiatives and is critical for the protection of all U.S. citizens and the U.S. infrastructure.”

Davidson noted “The Will County Solution Center will serve as the model for a series of Homeland Security-related facilities.”

Congress has set aside $87 billion for the Homeland Security Grant Program.

Patron Systems Inc. will construct the data back-up facility, also referred to as a Solution Center, in conjunction with an emergency operations facility. The facility will use patented cutting edge technology and integrate it with emergency management activities that fall under the purview of the Will County Emergency Management Agency.

CRA will lend its Homeland Security expertise to the project by helping design the operational communications and coordination systems.

Walsh and Moustis noted that the county had already been considering options for moving EMA and the Operations Center, as well as evaluating options for a more thorough backup of all county management information systems.

“This presents us with an opportunity to accomplish both tasks,” said Walsh, “as well as potentially qualify us for federal Homeland Security dollars.”

If an agreement is reached, the Will County Emergency Management Agency offices and the Emergency Operations Center will be located at the secure facility.

The secure facility is also likely to include a heliport, an emergency triage facility, a substation for the Will County Sheriff, an auditorium and training facilities, as well as a variety of other organizations, both public and private.

Construction of the approximately 80,000-square-foot Solution Center will come at no cost to Will County taxpayers. The agreement to come before the County Board on Thursday will authorize Walsh to negotiate a lease for county operations to be housed at the New Lenox site.

The Will County site, near where Interstate 355 is expected to connect to Interstate 80, was chosen over offerings in a variety of cities across the nation.

“This facility will significantly improve the emergency operations and disaster response capabilities in Will County,” Walsh said. “The new technologies will back up and secure data and computing assets so critical government functions can be supported in a crisis.”

March 14, 2005