The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) serves a critical role in every phase of disaster response.
It is the information and resource coordination hub, where the Incident Management Team (IMT) can analyze data, plan for impacts, and prepare to stabilize Community Lifelines. While on-scene response operations are managed from an Incident Command Post (ICP) in the field, the IMT in the EOC coordinates plans for future operations and obtains the resources needed to support the operations in the field.
There are three levels of activation for the Nassau County EOC:
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Activation Level 3 – the “Blue Skies” day-to-day operational status for the EOC.
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Activation Level 2 – a heightened level of operations, often due to a looming threat, hazardous weather, or a local emergency. The authority to elevate the EOC status to Level 2 lies with the Emergency Management Director (EMD) and/or the Deputy EMD. The nationwide standard, the Incident Command System (ICS), is used to organize and manage the response.
Most local emergency incidents can be effectively managed and resolved at this level.
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Extended work hours for EM Program staff may be necessary. Some additional personnel are typically needed to fill core EOC Incident Management Team (IMT) roles.
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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 the operations that need to be organized and managed by the EOC IMT to support the community.
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EOC operational periods follow a standardized ICS planning cycle.
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The EOC IMT provides the logistical support needed for their incident responders assigned to protect life safety, provide mass care, assess impacts, and stabilize Community Lifelines. The IMT also helps coordinate or obtain scarce resources needed by partners so they can continue to operate.
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The EOC IMT Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the one official source for incident information shared with the public.
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Activation Level 1 – the highest level of operations for the EOC, usually in response to a potentially catastrophic emergency, when Community Lifelines are significantly disrupted and resources needed to stabilize them far exceed local capabilities.
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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.
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Some government offices might be closed and/or some public services may be suspended while departmental resources are helping with the local disaster response.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Emergency management professionals typically break down their responsibilities into four phases, which form a cycle of activities that take place before, during, and after a disaster.
This cycle applies to residents and businesses, too.
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Before a disaster strikes, PREPAREDNESS activities (planning, equipping, training, and exercising) get the community and responders ready for all types of hazards.
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During and immediately following a disaster, RESPONSE actions protect lives and property and stabilize community lifelines.
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RECOVERY efforts focus on rebuilding after a disaster; that can take days to years, depending on the extent of the damage to the community. Really big disasters can create unemployment and heighten demand for social services, all while reducing tax revenue for local government. Successful recoveries depend on well-prepared residents, resilient businesses, and properly insured properties.
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MITIGATION projects reduce risks and losses from future hazards – they may take place after a disaster during long-term recovery or while preparing for a hazard, but they are always intended to improve conditions and strengthen resilience before the next event.
Each Community Lifeline includes sub-component lifelines.
During a disaster response, the status of each component is assessed and the EOC IMT identifies ways to quickly bridge any gaps in Community Lifelines by facilitating Emergency Support Functions by coordinating partners and resources. Specific operations may be conducted by the EOC IMT, like providing safe shelter for displaced people and their pets, supporting the public health and medical systems, ensuring clean drinking water is available, or organizing post-disaster recovery centers after a disaster.
After the emergency response, local government, private industry, and charitable organizations take over Recovery Support Functions: removing disaster debris, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, finding transitional housing options for residents in need, and supporting the return of social and economic stability.
