PLYMOUTH — With shiny shovels in hand, local and state officials broke ground Thursday morning on Washington County’s future Emergency Management & Training Operations Center (EMTOC) — a multi-million-dollar facility that leaders say will transform emergency preparedness and public safety for decades to come.
The new building will rise along U.S. Highway 64 East in Plymouth, serving as a central hub for the county’s 911 dispatch center, Emergency Operations Center and training room, EMS station, and other support spaces. By consolidating these critical services into one modern, purpose-built facility, officials say the county will be better positioned to respond to natural disasters, medical crises, and large-scale emergencies. AR Chesson is the general contractor with Oakley doing design
Washington County Manager Curtis Potter said EMTOC’s cost is around $5.5 million at the moment including about $3.5 million in state grants. He said plans call for adding exterior ambulance bays and equipment storage to the facility down the road, but we are moving forward with the main building and bay floor surface.
“On behalf of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, it is my honor to welcome you to this momentous day,” Commissioner John Spruill said in prepared remarks. “We are gathered here to mark the beginning of a project that will strengthen our county’s ability to protect and serve its citizens for generations to come — the construction of our new Emergency Management & Training Operations Center.”
Spruill began by recognizing a roster of dignitaries in attendance: Senator Norman Sanderson, Representative Ed Goodwin, former Senator Bob Steinburg, fellow commissioners, county staff, state and local officials, emergency management leaders, first responders, and members of the public.
“Your presence today is a testament to how important this project is to Washington County and to Eastern North Carolina,” he told the crowd.
Spruill described the EMTOC as “more than just brick and mortar,” calling it “the nerve center for emergency management, 911 operations, and critical training and EMS response.”
“It will mean faster response times, better coordination, and stronger preparation for anything that may come our way — whether it’s a hurricane, a public safety emergency, or a large-scale community event,” Spruill said.
Years in the making
Planning for the EMTOC has involved years of discussion, grant applications, and interagency cooperation. The project has been supported by local funding as well as state partnerships, including the NC E911 Grant Board and NC Emergency Management.
“Getting here has taken vision, dedication, and teamwork,” Spruill said. “From county staff and commissioners to our partners at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, from our contractors and architects to our legislators who fought to help secure the funding — every step has been a joint effort. This is proof that when we work together, we can make lasting investments that will benefit every citizen in our county.”
Former Senator Steinburg said he was gratified to see a vision he once advocated for becoming reality.
“This is fantastic day for Washington County. EMS has operated for too many years in small and inadequate facilities for this rural county with a population of 11,000 folks. The new facility which is anticipated to open in June of 2026 is very close to the local hospital and will be positioned to better serve the citizens county wide and when response time is of the essence will most importantly save lives.”
Designed for daily operations and crises
The 911 dispatch center will give call-takers and dispatchers updated technology and a secure, dedicated environment for handling emergencies. The Emergency Operations Center will provide a command hub where county leaders, law enforcement, fire services, EMS, and other agencies can coordinate real-time responses to disasters.
The EMS station — located within the same building — will allow personnel and vehicles to be deployed more quickly by placing them close to key transportation routes. Training areas will host classes, drills, and certification programs for first responders, improving readiness not just in Washington County but across the region.
Construction is expected to take about 18 months, with completion projected for fall 2026. Once operational, the EMTOC will also host multi-agency exercises, community preparedness programs, and serve as a staging ground for large-scale events.
“Today, we put shovels in the ground, but what we are really building is a promise — a promise that Washington County will always be ready, always be strong, and always be here for our people when they need us most,” Spruill said.
As the ceremony concluded, officials posed for photos with shovels in freshly turned soil. For county leaders, the moment was both ceremonial and symbolic — the first tangible step toward a facility designed to ensure that when the next hurricane, fire, or crisis comes, Washington County will be ready.
“I look forward to seeing the difference this facility will make for our community in the years ahead,” Spruill told attendees. “Thank you again for being part of this historic day.”