The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, has opened its new fleet maintenance facility. The $6 million facility will be used by the Equipment Maintenance Division (EMD). The nearly 12,000-square-foot building replaces a facility that was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that was still in use.

EMD maintains and repairs a wide range of the city’s public safety fleet, including fire apparatus, vacuum trucks, dump trucks, police cars, light trucks, and lawnmowers. On average, EMD completes 220 vehicle repairs a month, according to a press release. As Mayor LaToya Cantrell visited each New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) district station during roll calls, she discovered the need for consistent vehicle maintenance. The city and EMD believe the new facility is part of the solution.

“New Orleans has a first-class public safety division, and it is vital to continue to make these crucial investments to continue to deliver for our residents,” Cantrell said. “My administration recognizes the importance of EMD and how critical our fleet is to every single city department and especially public safety. We will continue to work to ensure our public safety workforce has every tool in the toolbox necessary to protect and serve our people. This includes making sure that the infrastructure they have and use is efficient, effective and absolutely top-notch."

What the New Facility Offers

The new facility has new features including a point of service lube delivery, an improved pneumatic system, a five-ton overhead crane, as well as a new office space and improved parking areas. There is also a natural gas emergency generator to allow continued operations during a major weather event or any other adverse conditions.

The project was funded using $5.4 million in FEMA funding, with the remaining $600,000 coming from the use of city bond funds.

“This is a celebration of the continuous rebuilding of New Orleans,” City Councilmember Eugene Green said. “This facility is a place of opportunity in terms of workforce development. There are 27 mechanic positions available, and we encourage students to apply online for a chance to learn and work in their community. There is a lot going on in our city, and I am pleased to represent this district to leave a lasting legacy for our kids and grandkids.”