Wold was commissioned to design a 5,000-square-foot dispatch and call center for the Marshall County, Tennessee Emergency Communications District (MCECD). The MCECD shares space with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. While this arrangement has some benefits, both entities are burdened with the lack of room to grow. Relocating the dispatch services out of the building will allow both parties to expand to meet raising demands.
The new dispatch facility was designed to provide a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 361-rated structure to house county-wide emergency communications with dedicated dispatch operations, administrative offices, a conference/board room, staff support spaces, and the associated mechanical, electrical, plumbing, data, and communication systems.
The new location is in a transitional area with residential buildings (apartments and houses) in the immediate vicinity. Wold was purposeful in providing an aesthetic that complemented the neighborhood. Through the use of brick, a gable roof with shingles, and a front entry element to serve as the porch, the new facility blends easily with the surrounding architecture.
The resulting facility is a secure and efficient public safety facility that strengthens Marshall County’s emergency response infrastructure and improves working conditions for dispatch staff.