WIU opens new Emergency Operations Center in Macomb

Western Illinois University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 21, 2026, for a new Emergency Operations Center on the first floor of Sallee Hall in Macomb. The facility will give students hands-on experience with Juvare, D4H and other technology used to plan for and respond to emergencies.

WIU President Kristi Mindrup, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration Director Jamie Johnson and university public safety chief Derek Watts participated in the ceremony.

The university said the project was made possible by a Illinois Emergency Management Agency grant. Durbin said he secured a federal earmark for the center in 2022. He said the facility will help educate public safety professionals and strengthen emergency preparedness in the region and across Illinois.

Training tied to student apprenticeships

The center will connect directly with the School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration’s Apprenticeship Training Program. The program is free for WIU students studying criminal justice, fire protection or emergency management.

Faculty members and public safety professionals lead practical training sessions each Monday and Tuesday. Students will use the new center to develop workplace skills while learning from people in the field.

WIU says the facility will allow it to offer apprenticeship opportunities for emergency management and public safety students that are not known to be available elsewhere in the country. Mindrup said the center will prepare students for careers while also serving regional needs.

Role in WIU’s education programs

The Emergency Operations Center expands the facilities available to WIU’s emergency management program and School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. Johnson said its purpose extends beyond the physical space by creating opportunities for students, the university and surrounding communities.