Charleston County begins work on emergency center

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Charleston County has broken ground on a new $27 million building that will house its 911 call center as well as its emergency operations center.

Officials broke ground Tuesday on the new two-story building that will have 38,000 square feet of space and should open in the spring of 2013.

Officials say the center will have the latest 911 technology and having both operations in one location will help in dealing with disasters.

The new center will be able to withstand winds of 191 mph, resist shaking from earthquakes and will be located outside flood-prone areas.

Both hurricanes and earthquakes are occasional hazards in the Charleston area.