National Incident Management System Emergency Operations Center How-To Quick Reference Guide August 2021 This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 9 1. Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 9 1.1. NIMS Compliance and Integration ................................................................................. 9 What Is an EOC? ........................................................................................................................ 10 1. Hallmarks of an EOC ............................................................................................................... 10 Preliminary Assessments .......................................................................................................... 12 1. Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment .................................................................................... 12 2. Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool ................................................................................... 12 3. Capability Assessment ............................................................................................................ 13 3.1. Interagency Coordination ............................................................................................. 13 3.2. Multiagency Coordination Groups ............................................................................... 14 3.3. Private Sector ............................................................................................................... 15 3.4. EOC Staffing Requirements and Structure Type ........................................................ 16 3.5. EOC Facility Support ..................................................................................................... 20 3.6. Plans and Procedures .................................................................................................. 20 3.7. Lifelines ......................................................................................................................... 21 Site Selection ............................................................................................................................ 22 1. General Considerations .......................................................................................................... 22 1.1. Vulnerability .................................................................................................................. 22 1.2. Central Location and Proximity to Key Personnel ...................................................... 23 1.3. Traffic Flow and Congestion ........................................................................................ 23 1.4. Accessibility .................................................................................................................. 23 1.5. Parking .......................................................................................................................... 23 1.6. Communications .......................................................................................................... 23 1.7. Security ......................................................................................................................... 24 1.8. Expandability ................................................................................................................ 24 1.9. Community-Based Design ............................................................................................ 24 3 1.10. Alternate Sites .............................................................................................................. 25 1.11. Existing EOC Sites......................................................................................................... 25 2. Mitigation Considerations ....................................................................................................... 25 2.1. Natural Hazards............................................................................................................ 25 2.2. Technological and Human-Caused Hazards ............................................................... 25 EOC Capabilities and Requirements ........................................................................................ 26 1. Determining Personnel Space Requirements ........................................................................ 26 1.1. EOC Functions .............................................................................................................. 26 1.2. Space Requirements .................................................................................................... 26 1.3. Additional Personnel Space Requirements ................................................................ 27 1.4. Sustained Operations .................................................................................................. 27 2. Communications Requirements ............................................................................................. 27 2.1. Interoperability ............................................................................................................. 27 2.2. Telecommunications (Including Teleconferencing, Videoconferencing, Text Messaging and Fax) ..................................................................................................... 28 2.3. Public Safety Radio ...................................................................................................... 28 3. IT Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 28 3.1. Internet Connectivity .................................................................................................... 29 3.2. Computer Systems ....................................................................................................... 29 3.3. Audiovisual Support ..................................................................................................... 30 4. Supplies and Equipment Requirements ................................................................................ 30 4.1. Furniture and Office Equipment .................................................................................. 30 4.2. Food Supply .................................................................................................................. 30 4.3. Medical and Sanitary Supplies .................................................................................... 30 4.4. Status and Situation Boards ........................................................................................ 30 4.5. Administrative Supplies ............................................................................................... 31 4.6. Support Services .......................................................................................................... 31 Room Design Features ............................................................................................................. 32 1. Design Considerations ............................................................................................................ 32 1.1. Basic Room Designs .................................................................................................... 32 4 1.2. Emergency Power ......................................................................................................... 33 1.3. Uninterruptible Power Supply ...................................................................................... 34 1.4. Physical Access ............................................................................................................ 34 2. Considerations for Multiuse Facilities .................................................................................... 35 2.1. Ancillary Space and Storage Areas ............................................................................. 35 2.2. Operations Room .......................................................................................................... 35 2.3. Classroom and Training Areas ..................................................................................... 35 2.4. Meeting Rooms ............................................................................................................ 35 3. Floor Plans .............................................................................................................................. 36 Information Management Systems .......................................................................................... 37 1. Information/Data Management Tools ................................................................................... 37 1.1. Geospatial Data and Analysis Capability .................................................................... 37 1.2. Crowdsourcing in Emergency Management ............................................................... 38 1.3. Hazard Prediction and Monitoring Capability ............................................................. 38 1.4. Crisis Information Management System .................................................................... 39 1.5. Personnel Qualification and Certification System ...................................................... 39 2. Infrastructure for Communications and Data Management ................................................