DAPHNE — After 31 years in existence, Daphne Search and Rescue may soon move ahead in a big way.

That’s because members are hoping to build a new state-of-the-art command post and shelter, one that would be especially useful during a crisis, said public information officer Michael Sager.

They will make a presentation to public officials and seek funding ideas at a meeting planned for Tuesday, May 1, at 6 p.m., he said.

Mayor Fred Small, Daphne City Coun-cil members, Bald-win County Commissioner David Bishop, federal Judge David Murgison, state Rep. Randy Davis and Congressman Jo Bonner have been invited to attend, Sager said.

The new facility would be useful as the organization continues to grow, but it could also be vital during a crisis or emergency situation, Sager said.

He said the organization is currently headquartered behind Daphne City Hall.

“This facility is needed to house our present inventory of life-saving vehicles and equipment, with a need of a six-bay garage,” he said.

It would be used as a local training base, as well as in conjunction with training Baldwin County’s other search and rescue units, Sager said.

“Awareness, and preparedness seminars, and life saving classes would be held for the general public, to further aid our readiness in times of expected emergencies,” he said.

It would be used as a command center and to house emergency service workers during a hurricane or other type of disaster, he said.

“We need to be able to shelter a minimum of 200 emergency first-responding personnel in times of a natural emergency such as a hurricane and all other potential disasters,” Sager said.

“Being in such close proximity to the major population center and critical seaport of Mobile, we would like to have an emergency shelter facility suitable for protection against biochemical and nuclear incursions as well,” he said.

Sager said the proposed facility would also act as a “heliport/command center for emergency airlifts.”

Meeting with officials is important to this vision since they are more familiar with funding sources, Sager said.

“With all of the interest in homeland security, we believe this type of proposal would fit right in with what is trying to be accomplished both nationally and at the individual community level,” he said.

“But it is important to hear from our officials, who are more familiar with homeland security efforts and know if there would be money to support this type of facility,” Sager said.

Support for this proposal should not be hard to get considering the organization’s years of work and the expertise of its members, Sager said.

“We have taken part in nearly every emergency incident in our area, whether it be search and rescue or recovery operation, since our formation in 1976,” he said.

“Whether it has been a federal, state or municipal emergency, Daphne Search and Rescue has earned the respect of all public safety entities who have called upon us for assistance,” Sager said.

All squad members are volunteers, a membership that includes firefighters and police officers, he said.

The organization averages about 100 emergency calls per year, Sager said.