To the local and county officials gathered inside the region’s new emergency communications center on Thursday, its opening was a long time coming. But to the dozens picketing outside, it never should have come to this. Spokane Regional Emergency Communications celebrated its opening on Thursday with a news conference and tour of the Combined Communications Building as the union representing City of Spokane fire dispatchers picketed outside. Known as SREC, the center launched operations on July 1. It’s the start of what proponents believe will be a more efficient and sustainable way to facilitate emergency communications across Spokane County – all by bringing communications services for multiple agencies under one roof.