Emergency Operations Center

An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a central command and control facility responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness and emergency management, or disaster management functions at a strategic level in an emergency situation, and ensuring the continuity of operation of a company, political subdivision or other organization.

Strategic Overview

An EOC is responsible for the strategic overview, or "big picture," of the disaster, and does not normally directly control field assets, instead making operational decisions and leaving tactical decisions to on-scene commands. The common functions of all EOC's is to:

• Collect, gather and analyze data
• Make decisions that protect life and property, maintain continuity of the organization, within the scope of applicable laws
• Disseminate those decisions to all concerned agencies and individuals

Large Scale Coordination

When a large scale event has occurred, it is important that the response be coordinated. This generally means activating the Emergency Operations Center to assure central coordination, and support to activities operate effectively. These kinds of activities include:

• Care and shelter
• Evacuation
• Public official alerting
• Resource mobilization and recovery
• Search and rescue