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Faizan
Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) are not typically staffed around the clock, however when a crisis occurs, these centers swing into action making them the focal point responsible for securing lives and property. Emergency operations centers can be found in the corporate environment and at both municipal and federal levels.
Each one of these organizational types requires an individualized approach to space planning, furnishings and audiovisual systems integration supporting the concept of operations.
Emergency Operations Center Design
Consider the following:
Location: The EOC can be located in either an existing or a dedicated facility. A dual purpose room is normally used for something other than emergency management on a day to day basis. Regardless of the environment, the facility should be located in a secure area with easy, but controlled access for staff and support. Given that an emergency can continue for days or weeks, there should be adequate stores or a plan and method to acquire them.
Structure: The physical plant makes up the room, or rooms within the EOC. The facility, large or small, should have back up power and communications. The room or rooms should have the ability to incorporate large screen video technology that can acquire and display a wide range of sources. These sources would typically include local TV, video conferencing, and spreadsheets for management of people and resources. There should also be specialized furnishings that are designed for computer and communications equipment. This furniture should be positioned in a fashion that allows for interaction between participants and the large screen audiovisual systems.
Functions: EOCs have common functions that include:
Gathering information
Creating emergency policies and instructions
Conducting training
Conducting operations management during emergencies
Insuring the safety of people and resources
Maintaining records and data management
Approaches to Emergency Operations Center Design
The organizational concept of operations drives the design of the EOC. EOCs are unique in size and functionality; there is no "one size fits all" solution. For this reason the emergency manager has the ability to develop a design in cooperation with staff, designer-manufacturers and construction professionals. The following are several approaches to emergency operations center design:
Traditional Command Center Layout: This is the typical amphitheater style layout. This layout consists of rows of participants facing forward and toward large video screens and speaker podium. Managers are usually situated behind the rows facing the same direction.
Each one of these organizational types requires an individualized approach to space planning, furnishings and audiovisual systems integration supporting the concept of operations.
Emergency Operations Center Design
Consider the following:
Location: The EOC can be located in either an existing or a dedicated facility. A dual purpose room is normally used for something other than emergency management on a day to day basis. Regardless of the environment, the facility should be located in a secure area with easy, but controlled access for staff and support. Given that an emergency can continue for days or weeks, there should be adequate stores or a plan and method to acquire them.
Structure: The physical plant makes up the room, or rooms within the EOC. The facility, large or small, should have back up power and communications. The room or rooms should have the ability to incorporate large screen video technology that can acquire and display a wide range of sources. These sources would typically include local TV, video conferencing, and spreadsheets for management of people and resources. There should also be specialized furnishings that are designed for computer and communications equipment. This furniture should be positioned in a fashion that allows for interaction between participants and the large screen audiovisual systems.
Functions: EOCs have common functions that include:
Gathering information
Creating emergency policies and instructions
Conducting training
Conducting operations management during emergencies
Insuring the safety of people and resources
Maintaining records and data management
Approaches to Emergency Operations Center Design
The organizational concept of operations drives the design of the EOC. EOCs are unique in size and functionality; there is no "one size fits all" solution. For this reason the emergency manager has the ability to develop a design in cooperation with staff, designer-manufacturers and construction professionals. The following are several approaches to emergency operations center design:
Traditional Command Center Layout: This is the typical amphitheater style layout. This layout consists of rows of participants facing forward and toward large video screens and speaker podium. Managers are usually situated behind the rows facing the same direction.
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