A center for emergency operations opens at the Pueblo Chemical Depot

The Pueblo Chemical Depot wants to make sure Pueblo County is safe when it destroys chemical weapons.

The depot opened its new emergency operations center Thursday.

The center cost $1.5 million and construction started in 2013.

If an emergency happens, the center has the infrastructure to communicate it by Internet, radio and landlines to get the word out to nearby areas.

“The EOC is the focal point for everything that goes on in the depot. They’re my eyes and ears. They maintain situational awareness on everything that is happening,” Col. Michael Quinn said.

“With that constant monitoring, we can be sure that if something were to happen, we’ll be able to provide immediate notification to the community and effect evacuations if required,” Vincent Blunn said. He is the chief of plans, operations and training at the depot.

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Emergency Services Bureau also has an emergency operations center set up to help the depot.