Training Day 5

Emergency Operations Centers

Off-Site Support for Incident Operations

Learning Objectives

  • Describe EOC Functions
  • Describe EOC Staff Organization Models
  • Describe EOC Activation Levels
25 minutes

What is an EOC?

The Support Hub Behind the Scenes

While ICS manages the incident on scene, Emergency Operations Centers provide the off-site coordination and support that makes large-scale response possible.

EOC - Emergency Operations Center

An off-site location where staff from multiple agencies come together to address imminent threats, provide coordinated support to incident command, and coordinate with other EOCs.

ics: ICS manages on-scene, tactical-level response

eoc: EOCs provide off-site coordination and support

Primary Functions

  • Collecting, analyzing, and sharing information
  • Supporting resource needs and requests
  • Coordinating plans and determining current and future needs
  • In some cases, providing coordination and policy direction
  • Fixed locations (dedicated facilities)
  • Temporary facilities (set up as needed)
  • Virtual structures (staff participating remotely)

EOC vs Operations Centers

Don't confuse EOCs with single-agency operations centers.

Emergency Operations Centers

  • Multidisciplinary - multiple agencies
  • Activated for emergencies
  • Focus on coordination across organizations
  • Support on-scene ICS

Operations Centers

  • Single agency or department
  • Often 24/7 operations
  • Focus on agency-specific functions
  • Example: Police dispatch center, utility control room
A fire department's dispatch center is an operations center. An EOC is where fire, police, EMS, public works, and other agencies come together to coordinate during major incidents.

EOC Organization Models

NIMS identifies three common ways to organize EOC teams. Jurisdictions choose based on their needs, relationships, and capabilities.

ICS-like EOC structure showing EOC Director at top, Public Information Officer, and Operations, Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Admin Coordination Sections at bottom
ICS or ICS-like Structure (click to zoom)
Incident Support Model EOC structure showing EOC Director, Public Information Officer, Situational Awareness, Planning Support, Resources Support, and Center Support sections
Incident Support Model (click to zoom)
Departmental EOC structure showing Emergency Manager at top with departments including Natural Resources, Health and Human Services, Public Works, Public Safety, Administration, and Education
Departmental Structure (click to zoom)

ICS or ICS-like Structure

Organizes the EOC using the standard ICS organizational structure, either exactly as in the field or with modifications.

Advantages:
  • Familiar structure for responders
  • Aligns directly with on-scene organization
  • Easy to interface with ICS in the field

Incident Support Model (ISM)

Separates situational awareness from planning and combines operations/logistics into incident support.

Advantages:
  • Emphasizes information and planning functions
  • Focuses on supporting the incident rather than directing it
  • Good for EOCs that primarily provide support

Departmental Structure

Uses the jurisdiction's day-to-day departmental structure and relationships.

Advantages:
  • Familiar relationships for staff
  • Minimal preparation or startup time
  • Works with existing organizational culture

Compare EOC Organization Models

Explore the three EOC organization models by clicking on each tab. Compare their structures, strengths, and best uses.

ICS/ICS-like

Organizes the EOC using the standard ICS organizational structure, either exactly as in the field or with modifications to better suit the EOC environment.

  • EOC Director at top (similar to Incident Commander)
  • Operations, Planning, Logistics, Finance/Admin Coordination Sections
  • Public Information Officer position
  • Mirrors on-scene ICS organization

Strengths

  • Familiar structure for responders trained in ICS
  • Aligns directly with field operations
  • Easy to interface with on-scene ICS

Limitations

  • May not fit all jurisdictions' cultures
  • Can feel overly structured for smaller EOCs

Knowledge Check

Which EOC structure may reflect an organization that focuses efforts on information, planning, and resource support?

EOC Activation

When Do EOCs Activate?

The decision to activate depends on the situation. A single-agency response to a routine incident doesn't need EOC support. A multi-agency response to a growing incident does.

EOCs activate for various incidents, threats, and events. Not every incident requires EOC activation.

EOC Activation Levels

EOCs frequently have multiple activation levels to scale response appropriately.

3

Normal Operations / Steady-State

No incident or specific risk identified. Routine watch and warning activities if the EOC normally houses this function.

Staffing: Minimal or normal staffing

2

Enhanced Steady-State / Partial Activation

Certain EOC team members activated to monitor a credible threat or support response to a new, potentially evolving incident.

Staffing: Key personnel activated, others on standby

1

Full Activation

EOC team fully activated, including personnel from all assisting agencies, to support response to a major incident or credible threat.

Staffing: All positions filled, 24/7 operations

EOC Activation Scenarios

Read each scenario and determine the appropriate EOC activation level. Think about the scope, complexity, and resource needs of each situation.

Scenario 1 of 5

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for your county. No storms have developed yet, but conditions are favorable for severe weather including possible tornadoes.

What EOC activation level is appropriate?

Knowledge Check

Match the following descriptions to their EOC Activation Level.

A. Normal Operations / Steady-State
B. Enhanced Steady-State / Partial Activation
C. Full Activation
Activities that are normal for the EOC when no incident or specific risk or hazard has been identified; routine watch and warning activities.
Certain EOC team members/organizations are activated to monitor a credible threat, risk, or hazard and/or to support the response to a new and potentially evolving incident.
EOC team is activated, including personnel from all assisting agencies, to support the response to a major incident or credible threat.

Knowledge Check

One more check on EOC concepts.

What does a Level 1 EOC activation indicate?

Training Day 5 Complete

Today you learned about Emergency Operations Centers - the off-site coordination hubs that support on-scene ICS operations.

Key Takeaways

EOC Functions

Information collection/analysis, resource support, coordination, and in some cases policy direction.

Three Organization Models

ICS-like (mirrors field structure), Incident Support Model (focuses on information/planning/resources), and Departmental (uses existing structure).

Three Activation Levels

Level 3 (Normal), Level 2 (Partial/Enhanced), Level 1 (Full Activation).

EOC vs ICS

ICS manages on-scene tactical operations. EOCs provide off-site coordination and support.

Up Next

Training Day 6: Other NIMS Structures & Interconnectivity

Next, you'll learn about MAC Groups, the Joint Information System, and how all NIMS structures work together.