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systems been added? Does the jurisdiction need to identify and equip an alternate
EOC? Examine each change made to the EOP for its possible effect on the EOC.
Bear in mind that the EOC plays a coordination role during a response—not a
command role—and that revisions to policies and procedures should focus on sup-
port needs at the incident scene.
Do
not
change the entire EOC organization unless it has been shown through
exercises or actual incident responses that it does not work. If the EOC organi-
zation must be changed, change it for all responses, rather than incorporating a
unique organization for terrorism incidents alone. A less effective organization can
be overcome by the comfort level and enhanced performance of personnel who are
familiar with it, which is certainly preferable to requiring staff to learn two different
organizations based on the type of incident.
Several specific areas to look at are included in the following job aid. A “no”
response to any of the questions on the job aid means that additional planning is
necessary to prepare for postterrorism EOC operations. Use the checklist as a guide
for identifying additional/different EOC operations during a terrorist response.
BOX 12.1 JOB AID 1: PLANNING FOR EOC
MANAGEMENT DURING A TERRORIST RESPONSE
1. EOC Organization
−
Will additional organizations and/or agencies (e.g., public health)
need to be included at the EOC following a terrorist attack?
−
What additional organizations should be included?
−
How will personnel from those organizations be notified?
−
What are their equipment needs? Do you have them?
−
With what other organizations and/or agencies will these personnel
need to coordinate?
2. Communications
−
What will you do if the power grid goes down for an extended
period of time? Are redundant communications systems in place?
−
Do all communications systems users know what the redundant
communication systems are? Will they recognize when they need
to switch to a backup system?
−
Do users know how to operate backup systems?
−
Have the systems been tested?
−
Will EOC personnel need to communicate with different people/
agencies following a terrorist attack than during other operations?
With whom will they need to communicate? Is a system in place to
facilitate those communications?
