The Emergency Operations Center

Emergency Managers often use "Activation Levels" to generally describe what is going on in the EOC on a given day:  

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 Level 3  – the “Blue Skies” day-to-day operational status for the EM staff; monitoring for unexpected hazards, training, testing equipment, conducting drills and exercises, teaching classes, and providing information to make sure everyone is ready for a disaster.  

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 Level 2  – a focused level of operations, often due to a looming threat, hazardous weather conditions, or a local emergency – basically anytime EM specialists are monitoring a specific hazard or condition, preparing for potential impacts, or planning, coordinating, and providing support for responders on a local incident such as a wildfire.  A wide range of operations take place at this level.  EM specialists frequently find themselves activated to "Level 2."  Most local incidents can be effectively managed, supported, and resolved at this level.    

• EM personnel perform core EOC IMT functions such as Situational Analysis, Planning, Resource Management, Logistics, and Public Information. 

• EOC IMT members collect and analyze situational data and plan for contingencies.  The team documents local needs and decisions, the actions partners are taking on their own, and helps coordinate or obtain scarce resources needed by partners so they can continue to operate.

• The EOC IMT Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the one official source for incident information shared with the public.  

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 Level 1  – usually in response to a potentially catastrophic emergency, when Community Lifelines are or are expected to be significantly disrupted, and the resources needed to stabilize them far exceed local capabilities.  

• The Board of County Commissioners declares a Local State of Emergency (LSE) and can delegate authority to the EOC IMT to use all resources necessary (local government staff, public facilities, equipment, and supplies) to implement protective measures on its behalf. 

• Some government offices might be closed and/or some public services may be suspended while departmental resources are helping with the local disaster response.

• The EOC IMT may obtain needed resources through the Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement to run critical emergency response operations that are not, or cannot be, managed by local departments/agencies:  mass care shelters, large scale search and rescue efforts, and points of distribution for water and food supplies.

• Individuals coordinating Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) support the EOC IMT response, serve as discipline-specific points of contact to help maintain situational awareness, and help locate resources for unmet needs among Community Lifelines.  

• The EOC IMT and ESF staff can continue to analyze the changing situation, plan for "next steps," and support the response operations until the emergency de-escalates and the community is ready to begin its disaster recovery process.