emergency operations center (EOC)
About Emergency Operations Centers
An emergency operations center, or 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 throughout its specified area. 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 lower commands. The common functions of all EOCs are to collect, gather, and analyze data; make decisions that protect life and property; maintain continuity of the organization within the scope of applicable laws; and disseminate its decisions to all concerned agencies and individuals. In most EOCs there is one individual in charge and that is the emergency manager. Location Jackson County EOC is located at the Seymour Police Department at 215 N. Ewing Street in Seymour, Indiana. View map. Organization The first most critical component of an EOC is its staff of individuals. The staff must be properly trained and have the proper authority to carry out actions that are necessary to respond to a disaster. Staff also must be capable of thinking outside the box and creating "what if" scenarios. The second most critical component of an EOC is its communications system. This can be from simple word of mouth to sophisticated encrypted communications networks, but it must provide for a redundant path to ensure that both situational awareness information and strategic orders can pass into and out of the facility without interruption. Levels of Activations
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