[Scan-DC] D.C. Unified Communications Center opens

[Alan Henney]

Homeland Defense Link has a good podcast at:
http://tinyurl.com/f8kme

Government of the District of Columbia
Executive Office of the Mayor

Office of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                CONTACT: VINCE
MORRIS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2006


CHERTOFF, KAINE JOIN washington, DC IN celebratING Opening of uNIFIED
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER IN WARD 8

State-of-the-Art Communications Center Will Facilitate Coordination of
Local and Regional First Responders and Emergency Preparedness Teams

(WASHINGTON, DC)  Mayor Anthony A. Williams today announced the
opening of the District's Unified Communications Center (UCC) at 2720
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.  A state-of-the-art communications
center, the UCC during an emergency will serve as the National Capital
Region's hub for emergency response. Joining Mayor Williams at the
ribbon-cutting were US Department of Homeland Security Secretary
Michael Chertoff, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Virginia
Governor Tim Kaine and other regional and local representatives.

"Today marks a new era in emergency preparedness and homeland security
in the District and in the region," said Mayor Williams.  "This is
also a day to celebrate a major step in the economic revitalization of
Ward 8.  The UCC results from an exceptional government and community
collaboration, and I am truly grateful to the neighborhood leaders and
nearby residents who helped bring us to where we are today."

The UCC consolidates key public safety communications functions of the
Metropolitan Police Department; DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services
and the DC Emergency Management Agency. The UCC will also house the
Mayor's Emergency Command Center, and in the event of a regional
emergency, the UCC will serve as the command center for regional law
enforcement agencies and EMS first responders. Additionally, this
advanced facility can host regional and federal authorities during
national emergencies.

Also housed at the UCC is the Mayor's Citywide Call Center which
citizens reach when they dial 727-1000 to request city services such
as trash removal, potholes, bulk pickups, and recycling. Residents may
also use this number to report a missed scheduled service, inquire
about city agency phone numbers and hours of operation, and pursue
other customer service-related items.

"The Unified Communications Center has the best technologies available
for this type of integrated call center facility," said Suzanne Peck,
District of Columbia Chief Technology Officer.  "We also designed the
UCC with employees in mind -- the 127,000 square foot center includes
a child development center, a fitness center, a stress reduction room,
a bright cafeteria and a terrace retreat overlooking the city.  As is
written in stone on the UCC entrance, 'We can, we will safeguard our
great city and our people.'"

The UCC took eight years to build and involved the coordination of
numerous government agencies and partners.

"We are thrilled that the UCC is opening," said Mary Cuthbert ANC 8C
chair. "This has been the best partnership between the DC Government
and the community."

For more information about the Unified Communications Center, go to
www.ucc.dc.gov.

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