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 recognized levels of activation for the Nassau County EOC:
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Activation Level 3 is the “Blue Skies” day-to-day operational status for the EOC. The Emergency Management professionals and trained volunteers are monitoring local, state, national, and international news and conditions; collecting and analyzing data for threat and risk assessments; planning for hazards; conducting responder training and exercises to ensure everyone is ready to work together when needed; reviewing and updating programmatic documents; and holding public education and outreach events.
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Activation Level 2 is a heightened level of operations, often due to a looming threat, severe hazardous weather impacts, or a local disaster. The authority to elevate EOC staffing and operations to Level 2 lies with the Emergency Management Director (EMD) and/or the Deputy EMD. Extended work hours and some additional personnel are typically needed, but with EM's partnerships and established agreements, most incidents can be managed at this level. The EOC Incident Management Team (IMT) is responsible for collecting and analyzing situational data, planning for future operations and contingencies, documenting the situation and emergency operations in the field, managing resources, and providing the logistical support needed for responders to protect life safety, assess impacts, and stabilize Community Lifelines. The Joint Information Center (JIC) and the EOC Public Information Officer (PIO) serve as the primary source for incident information shared with the public and organizations that are contributing resources to assist with the response. EOC operational periods follow the ICS "Planning P" cycle.
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Activation Level 1 is considered the highest level of operations for the EOC. Level 1 activations occur in response to a catastrophic incident when anticipated needs exceed local capabilities, and evacuations or curfews may be necessary for public safety. When this happens, the County declares a Local State of Emergency (LSE) and can activate the EOC to Level 1 by delegating authority to the EOC IMT to use all resources necessary to implement protective measures and response operations on its behalf. To facilitate the emergency procurement processes, the LSE may temporarily lift certain purchasing restrictions. The EOC IMT can also obtain additional resources through the State EOC and partnering counties. Some local government offices might be closed and/or some services may be suspended while departmental resources are assisting the disaster response. The EOC IMT and support staff will continue to analyze the changing situation, plan for "next steps," and support emergency response operations until the County is ready to begin Recovery operations.
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 help 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 on social services, all while reducing tax revenue for local government. Successful recoveries depend upon 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 created by the hazard. For instance, ensuring public health and safety, clearing roads for emergency response vehicles, conducting rescue operations, patching communication and power lines, providing emergency shelter, and distributing clean drinking water.
After the emergency response, during community clean-up and recovery, local government and private industry remove debris, repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure, and support social and economic stability.
