Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials are preparing to begin construction of a new Safe Room to shelter first responders during major emergencies. The facility will be built on city property on North Poplar Street and is designed to keep police, firefighters, and other responders safe during hurricanes and other disasters. City leaders say the building will also help them maintain services if other facilities are damaged. The Safe Room project has been in the planning stages for several years as Foley collaborated with federal and state partners to secure funding.

The city plans to break ground on the Safe Room on Monday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. at 1038 N. Poplar St. Construction is expected to take about 14 months, with work scheduled to finish before the start of the 2027 hurricane season.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said city officials have been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for about five years to reach the point where construction can begin. “We are very excited. We are starting construction this month. It’s been a long, long journey with FEMA,” Hellmich said. “It’s about a 14-month construction.”

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The Safe Room will be built to withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour, providing first responders with a secure place to ride out powerful storms. The shelter will be large enough to house more than 200 first responders during a hurricane.

Plans include installing a 400-kilowatt generator that can operate on natural gas or diesel fuel. The building will have kitchen facilities and other amenities necessary to accommodate crews for extended stays during emergencies.

City officials said the Safe Room will also serve as a command post if other city buildings are damaged in a storm or other event. Police and firefighters will be able to use the facility for training and meetings throughout the year, except when it is needed for emergency shelter.

A grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover most of the project's cost. Foley officials have been collaborating with federal and state agencies since 2020 to secure the necessary funding to advance the project.