Construction begins on new Plainfield Emergency Management Agency facility

The village of Plainfield celebrated the start of construction on a new Plainfield Emergency Management Agency facility last week.

Village officials and Northern Builders held a ceremonial groundbreaking on the 15,000-square-foot building which will be home to Plainfield’s emergency operations network, according to a news release.

“We are absolutely thrilled to finally start construction of this building and we look forward to its completion,” then-Plainfield Mayor Michael Collins said at the ceremony, according to the release. “PEMA is an important part of the Village’s emergency response during any disaster and they have operated out of an antiquated building for far too long. Many thanks to our partners at Northern Builders for bringing these plans to life.”

The village entered into a development agreement with Northern Builders, Inc. to construct the property at 14805 S. Wood Farm Road.

“This facility for PEMA will be the strategic hub for Plainfield’s emergency efforts,” said Thomas Grusecki, president and CEO of Northern Builders, in the release. “All of us at Northern are proud to partner with the Village of Plainfield and be a part of this very important project.”

PEMA is a volunteer organization led by Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek. It is dedicated to planning for and responding to major emergencies or disasters that impact the village.

The organization responds to emergency callouts for traffic control, scene lighting, or rehab for major police or fire incidents.