Hurricanes, large chemical spills and hostage situations aren't common in Howard County, but county police and rescue officials say they're now fully equipped to handle such big crises -- thanks to their new Mobile Command Center.
The 28-foot-long, $184,000 truck was purchased late last month, in part with money seized in drug arrests.
County public safety officials say it can save both time and lives during emergencies. "It's going to be a big improvement to our services," said Deputy Chief John Frank of the county fire department.
Officials expect to deploy the command center in incidents ranging from large fires to searches for missing children.
In the field, the vehicle will serve as a command post where emergency officials can coordinate their efforts.
The county bought the aluminum truck from Lynch Display Vans Inc. in Burlington, Wis.
A little more than half its cost was paid for from the county police's drug forfeiture fund, and the county fire department covered most of the remaining cost.
The Mobile Command Center is 4 feet longer than a fire engine and looks like an extra-large, old-fashioned Good Humor truck. It's equipped with a camera-periscope that can rise 40 feet above the top of the truck, a videocassette recorder, a fax machine, eight mobile radios, scanners, a bathroom and a microwave oven.
"It's been needed for a while," said fire Sgt. Bob Wiseman. "We've got the capability to do a lot at once."
In the past, county officials say, they sometimes felt embarrassed about their equipment during public-safety efforts that drew forces from various jurisdictions. Howard fire and rescue teams used to have to work out of a Chevrolet van with limited equipment, while police sometimes used a converted ambulance as a base.
The new vehicle is divided into several sections: a front driver's section, a seating area for county officials, work stations with desks, a dispatch area and a conference room with telephones. The Scaggsville fire station will serve as the truck's home base.
Police say they also intend to use the vehicle for the department's community-oriented programs. The vehicle will turn up at concerts, fairs and other large gatherings.
About a week ago, 65 children and parents in a Long Reach housing community met a police officer dressed as Santa Claus as he emerged from the truck outside their homes, police said.
"This vehicle's going to get a lot of use," said police Capt. Stephen Drummond. "In the end, the public will share in the benefits it has to us."