Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
unless properly coordinated. The federal response should not overwhelm the local
emergency response organization but should provide resources, as needed (Figure
11.1).
It is assumed that normal disaster coordination accomplished at state and local
Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and other locations away from the scene
would be addressed in the EOP. Any special concerns relating to state and local
coordination with federal organization should be addressed in the terrorism annex.
Response to any terrorist incident requires direction and control. The planner
must consider the unique characteristics of the event, identify the likely stage at
which coordinated resources will be required, and tailor the direction and control
process to merge these resources into an ongoing public health response.
With many organizations involved, there is the danger of key decisions being
slowed down by too many layers of decision making. Planners should be aware of
the need to streamline the decision-making process so that key decisions or authori-
zations regarding public health and safety can be obtained quickly.
A primary EOC is necessary to properly coordinate response actions within the
jurisdiction and to liaise with other jurisdictions and federal agencies. The EOC of
the City of New York's Office of Emergency Management, a new state-of-the-art
facility, was located at the World Trade Center, and was destroyed during the attack
e President
Attorney General
FEMA Director
FBISIOC
CDRG
FBI Command Post
ROC
State EOC
Local EOC
Unified command
Scene
Figure 11.1
Incident Command from the federal level down.
