The head of Nevada's Division of Emergency Planning says federal authorities want the new state Emergency Operations Center built and running within 30 months.
Frank Siracusa said the federal Department of Homeland Security has approved a $4.7 million grant to start construction of the $8 million center in Carson City.
That is in addition to the $500,000 lawmakers allocated for architectural and other preliminary work on the building, which will house a central dispatch system and the state's emergency programs.
The process began with a $50,000 grant to the state to assess the hazards, vulnerabilities and risks in Nevada and $4.3 million divided among the states to help provide secure communications facilities in case of emergencies.
In releasing the money, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said the centers are vital to provide states the ability to respond to emergencies and to make sure first responders have the resources and backup they need.
Siracusa said the state will raise more money for the emergency center by selling the existing property -- the old National Guard Armory on South Carson Street.
The new structure will be at Fairview and Saliman streets near the new Nevada National Guard headquarters.
