October 29, 2009
By DANNY HENLEY
Hannibal Courier-Post

After almost 18 months of construction and equipment installations, Marion County 911 is putting the finishing touches on its new state-of-the-art emergency communications center, which is located on the northern edge of Hannibal. However, the 911 Board of Directors is offering the public a rare opportunity to visit and tour the new facility before it actually goes “live.”

Two open houses are planned Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. The public is invited to visit the new center from 9 a.m. until noon on Nov. 7 or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8.

According to 911 Executive Director Mike Hall, once 911 telecommunicators move into the new building, the public will not have the same opportunity to get up close and personal with the technology and equipment.

“We’re excited to give the public this unique opportunity to view our 911 equipment and see first-hand how our new facility will enhance the way emergency calls are handled in Marion County,” he said.

The new building was designed by the architectural firm Poepping, Stone, Bach and Associates (PSBA) and constructed by Bleigh Construction at a cost of $2.2 million. Over $500,000 in radio communications and 911 call-handling equipment for the project was provided by a state of Missouri Homeland Security grant. This equipment, which includes a new 180-foot antenna tower, was engineered and installed by A&W Communications of Eolia.

“We are very proud of the new 911 center and hope the public will come out and take a look,” 911 Board Chairman Al Durand.

The new 911 Center is located at 3246 Highway 61 in Hannibal, just past FCS Financial and across from the River Bluff Apartments.