On Sept. 9, Wharton-Smith joined the Volusia County Council to break ground on the new $18.4 million Volusia County Medical Examiner Facility. See more pictures from the celebration.
The new project will provide the county with a 20,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility to support day-to-day operations and mass disaster situations. It will improve personnel safety, storage capacity, air quality, flexibility for additional forensic pathologists and investigators, facilities for the bereaved, community outreach, and education for law enforcement and health professionals.
Features include 24-hour climate control, a secure entryway, an autopsy suite, a tissue recovery room, and evidence storage. The facility will have a fully integrated building automation system, security surveillance and access control, safety showers and eye wash stations, a fiber optic network, and a long list of additional safety elements and technical innovations.
“The experience and knowledge the county brought to bear on this building are so impressive,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. James Fulcher. “When I look at the plans, I am so proud. I recognize the hard work and time spent discussing the best way to design and build. When we move in, our efficiency and ability to teach is only going to get better.”
