COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) — The Texas A&M Forest Service celebrated its grand opening of its newly outfitted Emergency Operation Center in College Station with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday. The center will use state-of-the-art technology to monitor wildfire risk and keep track of any active wildfires. It will also keep track of the availability and use of firefighting resources, equipment and personnel across the state. “The work done in the EOC is vital to our agency’s response to wildfires and disasters,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “As Texas’ population grows, ongoing investment in preparedness and response strategies will be critical to managing the evolving wildfire threat and other all hazard incidents.” “Texas has the best disaster response program in the United States, and, largely, that is due to the hard work of the men and women of Texas A&M Forest Service,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp who spoke at the event. “I am certain that this updated facility will help the people of Texas A&M Forest Service to serve the state even better.” The updated center manages Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System mobilizations, provides technical support for the agency’s computer-aided dispatch program, and manages the Texas FireConnect web portal for volunteer fire departments.