Foley first responders and other emergency personnel will soon have a safe location to shelter during hurricanes and other emergencies.

Foley City Council voted Monday, May 20, to accept a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant will cover 90% of the costs for building a safe room, which will serve as a shelter for emergency personnel.

The new facility will provide first responders with a secure place to take shelter during a hurricane or other emergency, ensuring they are available for service as soon as possible.

David Wilson, Foley executive director of public safety, said city officials have been developing plans for the facility but were awaiting approval and funding from FEMA.

“I'm very pleased to announce that our long-awaited green light for the safe room has been given by FEMA,” Wilson said. “This is a safe or secure facility that first responders can operate from during hurricanes and other emergencies. It's nearly 10,000 square feet in total size.”

The shelter will accommodate more than 200 people during a hurricane and is designed to withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour. It will also be equipped with a 400-kilowatt generator that can run on either natural gas or diesel fuel.

The building will include kitchen facilities and other necessary amenities to house personnel during an emergency. It will be on city property on North Poplar Street, north of the Public Works campus currently under construction and south of East Berry Avenue.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich emphasized the location's convenience for city operations.

“It's very close to City Hall,” Hellmich said. “It also has a lot of main facilities for electrical and gas and water. We looked at about 10 different sites. That one made the most sense.”

The new facility can also serve as a command post if other city facilities are damaged during a storm or other event.

The project is expected to cost about $5.58 million, with the city covering 10% of the total cost.