When disaster strikes, a new $880,800 mobile command center will keep Medford emergency services in the center of the action.

Medford City Council Thursday unanimously approved the purchase of the new command center on wheels from Florida-based Emergency Vehicles Inc. Medford received the money from the U.S. Department of Justice, specifically a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment Program grant.

The rolling command center, which will be purchased in the next couple of months, will replace an outdated vehicle, and will provide a platform that helps police, fire and public works better communicate and coordinate during wildfires, earthquakes, floods, hostage negotiations or crime scene investigations.

“This will bring the capabilities of the 21st century to Medford,” said Aaron Ott, Medford’s emergency manager.

The existing, smaller command center was bought used from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office roughly 10 years ago and lacks up-to-date communication equipment.

The larger command vehicle will aid in coordination of resources, and has radio equipment that works with other agencies in the region and offers a protected location for personnel and gear.

The command vehicle is mounted on a Freightliner M2 chassis, and has six exterior compartments to store equipment.

During regional crises, the new 32-foot command center will help Medford emergency services provide more effective mutual aid and better communication capabilities with other emergency agencies. It has a pneumatic mast that can be elevated to improve communications.

“It just allows us to have a unified command onsite,” Ott said.

Inside, there will be a conference table and work areas for the leadership team.

It includes two pop-outs, similar to a recreational vehicle, to provide more space in the interior when deployed.

In addition to air conditioning and a backup generator, it will be equipped with surveillance equipment, a tethered drone and an area for news media briefings.

The vehicle comes equipped with a toilet, galley, microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker.

“This will give us multi-function capabilities for extended events,” Ott said

Ott said both the 2020 Almeda fire and 2022 Pacific Pride fire are two examples of emergencies that would have benefited from a more robust communications.

During those disasters, gaps in communication and coordination between multiple departments and agencies created potential delays and safety hazards, he said.

Ott said the command vehicle can be easily outfitted to handle complex emergency situations depending on whether it is for fire, police or public works. In some emergency situations the three departments will work together from the same vehicle.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, helped secure the $880,000 in funding for Medford along with grants for other Oregon communities.

Marion County received a $1.8 million grant to upgrade police equipment and communications, while Benton County got $963,000 to improve communication and emergency response times, particularly in rural areas.

Lake County received $2 million to upgrade its emergency communications system.