Lake County, Illinois, completed its new Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) Facility, a 37,000-square-foot public safety building designed by Wold Architects & Engineers. The facility supports emergency management and preparedness, 911 operations and long-term disaster response across the region.
With the completion of this facility, three major public safety functions are now housed under one roof:
- The Lake County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA) and its emergency operations center
- Lake Consolidated Emergency Communications (LakeComm), a consolidated 9-1-1 emergency communications center
- The Joint Emergency Telephone System Board (JETSB) of Lake County
The facility was designed to remain operational during severe weather and long-term power outages. It also serves as a coordination hub during emergencies, allowing state and county partners to mobilize quickly. LakeComm supports 30 police and fire/EMS agencies, improving coordination and communication through shared space and integrated systems.
Designed as a model for energy-conscious public infrastructure, it is powered by over 1,900 solar panels and a 56-well geothermal system located 400 feet underground. Together, these systems allow the ROC to operate as Lake County Government’s first net-zero building, designed to consume no more energy than it produces from renewable sources.
The $30 million project was funded through a combination of County bonds, ARPA support, local and state funding and a Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) grant.
