DeKalb 9-1-1 aims to 'harden' new space and offer community tornado shelter if engineers approve

Brad Molineux said part of the agency's goal for the former health department site is to make the dispatch area more resilient and to provide space the public could use in severe weather if engineering confirms it is feasible.

"This grant is available, or has been in the past. I'm hoping that it's still still available ... my goal would be to maybe make some of that space available to the community that maybe does not have a safe place to go during a tornado," Molineux said, adding the plan is contingent on an engineer's approval. He also described prior experience with a hazard mitigation grant that was affected by midstream rule changes, which reduced past success and shaped the district's approach to applying for funding.

The district will evaluate hardening options and pursue state and federal grant pools before committing to major renovations; no final engineering decisions or firm funding awards were reported on the call.