Baldwin USD #348 to receive $3,422,063 grant for FEMA Safe Room in new Performing Arts Center

08/11/2009
Douglas County Emergency Management is proud to announce on August 3, 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, D.C. approved grant funding for a Baldwin City Performing Arts Center School Safe Room totaling $3,422,063.00. The project was a collaborative effort with Douglas County Emergency Management, USD #348, DLR Architect Group, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, and FEMA Region VII. The safe room will be constructed at the new Performing Arts Center to accommodate 1800 faculty and students located in the Junior High, High School and guests attending performances at the Performing Arts Center. The room will be approximately 16,100 sq. ft and its construction will be in accordance with FEMA 361 Community Safe Room construction guidelines. Safe rooms designed and constructed in accordance with the guidance presented in FEMA 361, Second Edition/August 2008 publication provide "near-absolute protection" from extreme-wind events. Near-absolute protection means that, based on our current knowledge of tornadoes and hurricanes, the occupants of a safe room built according to this guidance will have a very high probability of being protected from injury or death. Citizens of Douglas County live each day with the risk of severe weather. Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes despite advance warning. Douglas County Emergency Management strives for its citizens to be aware of the appropriate steps to take in order to ensure safety should severe weather strike. It is with this guiding principle in mind that Emergency Management and all those involved with the project, are proud to announce this approved proposal and excited for the implementation of a second safe room in Baldwin City, KS.

Related Links:
LJ World - http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/aug/06/34m-grant-help-build-another-tornado-safe-room/

Media Contact:
Teri Smith, Director
Emergency Management Department
(785) 832-5259
tsmith@douglas-county.com