American Red Cross opens new Disaster Operations Center in Evanston

Cincinnati officials and community leaders celebrated the opening of the new Headquarters and Disaster Operations Center for the Cincinnati Region of the American Red Cross on Monday, June 21st.  The new 50,000 square-foot facility will serve the large 25-county region that includes southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeastern Indiana.

The new facility in Evanston along I-71 replaces the previous facility in downtown Cincinnati that officials say was no longer meeting the needs of the organization.

"The new Headquarters/Disaster Operations Center operates at a new level of readiness and new speed of response for threats," explained officials with the Cincinnati Region of the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross touts the new facility which in addition to having an intake area for clients, loading/unloading areas, and multi-purpose training rooms, includes updates such as satellite feed capabilities that allow live feeds from Artemis and other agencies, wireless technology, comprehensive power resources that ensure back-up systems power during critical periods, and a new expandable Disaster Operations Center designed to accommodate disasters of varying sizes.

Developed by Cincinnati-based Neyer Properties, the new American Red Cross Headquarters/Disaster Operations Center is expected to achieve LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.  Several building features and technologies were included to improve energy and water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and sensitive use of resources during building construction helped the team achieve this status.

The new building also features a distinctive look, designed by Cincinnati-based emersionDESIGN, that embodies the colors and designs for which the American Red Cross is known.

"It's truly a new day as the American Red Cross enters its second century of service in Cincinnati," said Brian Keating, chair of the Board of Directors.  "And it's fitting that we have the tools in this new facility to allow us to provide critical services to the tri-state region."

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
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