DeKalb 9-1-1 takes possession of former health department building, aims to relocate within about 18 months

Brad Molineux, director of the DeKalb Emergency Communications District (9‑1‑1), said the agency took possession of the former county health department building on Aug. 11 and is moving ahead with plans to relocate dispatch and related operations there.

"We get went over and met with Michael, got the keys in a walk through and quite frankly, we could go in there tomorrow and not spend a dime and still be in better shape than what we're in right now," Molineux said, describing the building as a sizeable, immediately useful option. He said the district signed a lease at the end of August and expects the relocation plan to appear on the 9‑1‑1 board agenda in early October after recent election-related delays in board appointments.

Molineux emphasized the move is driven by capacity and security needs: "we need something a little more secure than what we have," he said. He described the next steps as hiring or consulting with an architect or engineer to determine what renovations are feasible, then identifying grant pools and other non-debt funding. He estimated his "goal would be, you know, somewhere around 18 months" to be operational in the new space but said an earlier move remains possible depending on engineering and equipment procurement.

Why it matters: the new building could allow expansion of dispatch positions and equipment rooms, provide space for the emergency management operations center and be configured as community sheltering in severe weather if engineering supports hardening measures.