WSU center serves as Ohio backup

DAYTON, Ohio (Dayton Business Journal) - If a disaster strikes and the Ohio emergency operations center near Columbus is not available, the Wright State University National Center for Medical Readiness Tactical Laboratory will take its place.

An agreement between NCMR-TL and two state agencies, the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, designates the Wright State center, located in Fairborn, as the alternate state emergency operations center.

The Ohio EMA maintains the State Emergency Operations Center in Franklin County for use in emergency response. If unavailable, the WSU center will serve that purpose. It also will accommodate training for emergency management personnel and occasional exercises will be conducted to facilitate seamless transition from the state facility, according to the university.

The WSU center was established by the emergency medicine department of Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine to boost medical readiness. Its tactical laboratory, also known as Calamityville, provides training and research opportunities for disaster response.

“We are pleased to partner with the Ohio EMA to ensure Ohio is prepared to meet any emergency that may occur,” said William Harchick, associate director of operations at NCMR. “Our Tactical Laboratory is the perfect location for this alternate site. In addition to having the expertise, facilities and equipment necessary to operate a fully functioning alternate emergency operations center, Calamityville is located outside the risk area of Columbus and is close to major interstate highways and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.”