TAMPA, Fla. — Compatible technology infrastructure was cited as a key reason for the selection of GTE Federal Credit Union's headquarters as a backup site for the city of Tampa in the event of an emergency that disrupts municipal services.
Acting on an offer from GTE FCU, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio visited the 12 -acre campus of the $2.1 billion credit union on April 22 to see the data and operations centers and plans to present a proposed agreement to Tampa City Council on May 15, the credit union said.
"We basically opened our arms to them," says Stephen Foster, GTE FCU's vice president of real estate, who oversees the credit union's facilities, security and real estate operations.
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The arrangement would call for the city to use GTE FCU's facilities in event of either a widespread natural disaster, such as a hurricane, or a localized event such as a fire in a city building.
GTE FCU said its technology infrastructure and the city's are "very compatible, and creating this partnership allows for completely separate but pre-staged infrastructure to be in place in order to facilitate emergency operations programs and exercises."
Foster said, "We are joining with the city of Tampa for our mutual benefit."
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