Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction
It is a common mistake to confuse the emergency operations center (EOC) with
the tasks performed in the EOC and to forget that the EOC is a physical location
that generates its own demands. For the EOC team to perform effectively, the
physical and organizational demands of the EOC as a facility must be met. This
EOC management is distinct from the operational management of the incident.
EOC management can be roughly divided into two main categories: facility
management and operational management. Facility management is similar to the
activities that take place within any facility. This involves dealing with the physical
plant, technology systems, and support services needed to support activities within
the EOC. Operational management pertains to the systems and procedures put in
place to allow the EOC team to operate efficiently. This pertains to the procedures
for performing common tasks and operating EOC equipment. These two compo-
nents work together to ensure that the EOC team is free to focus on the incident
with minimal disruption from the environment in which the team is operating.
Facility Management
EOC facility management shares many commonalities with that found in any
major office building. However, there are added complexities that make EOCs
unique. Where the typical office building operates for 8 to 12 hours a day, an EOC
must be capable of 24-hour operation. This means that there is no downtime for
maintenance or support services, and these services must be provided in a way
that does not have an impact on operations. In addition, increased security during
operations can limit access for support staff or contractors if there is no prior coor-
dination. The EOC also has a considerable number of parallel systems and complex
communications systems and may have unique design features such as HEPA filters
or overpressure systems to provide security against chemical and biological attack.
In some cases, the EOC may also provide living quarters for staff for an extended
period.
This level of complexity for EOC systems has implications for day-to-day activi-
ties as well. Since an EOC must be ready for activation within a short period, there
is no latitude for a lengthy startup period while batteries are charged, software
upgraded, or systems checked. This means that a program for ongoing maintenance
of EOC systems must be in place.
The EOC as a facility comprises a number of systems. The most obvious are, of
course, the environmental, life safety, and utility systems. Even here, though, the
EOC is different from a typical office building. Where “emergency power” in an office
building means that life safety systems continue to receive power, the EOC's require-
ment for continuous operation under all conditions may demand alternate commer-
cial power feeds, multiple generators, and the capacity to add external generators.
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