Question

Write a brief essay using the following format:

Answer the directions in no more than 1,500 words. The assignment should be submitted using Microsoft Word with default margins, using 12-point Times New Roman black font, be double-spaced, and be in essay format.

Assume that you are tasked with setting up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

1. OUTLINE the functional roles of the Emergency Manager, Deputy Emergency Manager, Command Staff, Public Information Officer, Safety Officer, Liaison Officer, and Operations Coordination Chief.

2. OUTLINE the functional roles of the Planning Coordination Chief, Investigation and Intelligence Coordination Chief, Resource Coordination Chief, and the Finance and Administration Control Chief.

3. COMPOSE a brief description for the Mission and Skill Set for each position.

* Include at least three academic or professional sources to support your work.

Answer 1

Setting up an Emergency Operations Center:

Discussion – 1

Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) are the critical structure for emergency response. EOCs perform six functions in response to an emergency. Identify all six functions and explain two of the six functions. Then, identify a challenge that might arise in staffing an EOC. Why do you think this challenge might occur?

“An EOC is an information-management and command-and-control tool for the leadership of a community.” (Huder, 2012). This center provides a central intelligence arena for decision makers and response team personnel to gather critical information, coordinate response activities, and manage personnel as the emergency situation dictates. There are six basic functions of the EOC: direction and control, management of information and data, awareness of the situation, priority setting, and resource management and public information.

The main objective of the EOC is to maintain and develop an awareness of an emergency situation in advance. This information is then presented to the decision makers. This sets the framework for critical decision-making. The release of this information could also affect the lives of everyone living in the geographical area. If critical decisions are made without having situational awareness it can be considered irresponsible and significantly compromise peoples lives.

The EOC coordinates support for emergency responders, thus emergency responders can effectively plan ways to avoid risks and effectively communicate with the public. The EOC handles requests from the responders, such as finding resources and monitoring results. The EOC does not manage responders or their resources; the response agencies have their own operations centers, thus making the EOC the “behind the lines” coordinators. The EOC is responsible for gathering information and making sure the information is being passed on by coordinating requests for support from the responder operations centers. Because the EOC has the ability to gain situational awareness, it has the capacity of effectively coordinating support for the responders in the field.

Staffing is a challenge for the EOC. The location of the EOC needs to be the place where the disaster or emergency has the greatest impact and all staff needs to be relocated to that particular place. The EOC is constantly changing which makes the continuity of decision-making difficult and makes it difficult to understand the exact responsibilities of managing the EOC.

Reference:

Huder, R. C. (2012). Disaster Operations and Decision Making (5thed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Discussion 2

The basic plan needs to reflect the population and/or a community’s needs and focus on protecting the public. As outlined by FEMA, “In the Nation’s system of emergency management, the local government must act first to address the public’s emergency needs.” (2010). Being able to provide warning, communicating emergency public information, evacuation procedures, and shelters are just the minimum measures the emergency operation plan needs to consider.

“Disaster response becomes a matter of understanding when and what types of issues will present themselves.” (Huder, 2012). The basic plan sets the framework of preparedness and response strategies. The basic plan outlines expected hazards, defines roles and responsibilities, and explains how the plan is to stay up-to-date.

Local planning is based off of plans for a specific geographical area that shares common social, economical, political, cultural, natural resources, and transportation aspects with the state and federal planning processes.

The annexes are the parts of the EOP that provide specific information, direction, tasks, and responsibility. Annexes should identify actions not only to ensure effective response but also assist in preparing for emergencies and disasters. The functional annexes are mission focused. Specific actions this annex supports during an emergency response are direction and control, communications, warning, emergency public information, evacuation, mass care, health and medical services and lastly resource management.

The support annex defines how local, State, Federal, tribal, private sector, volunteer and non-government agencies and/or organizations coordinate and execute the operative and administrative requirements necessary to ensure effective and efficient incident management. This annex “…describes essential supporting aspects that are common to all incidents.” (FEMA, 2011).

Policies, situations and responsibilities aimed at particular hazards, threats and/or incidents are managed by the, hazard-threat-or incident-specific annexes. These annexes depict the course of action unique to particular threats and hazards.

Emergency planning is not a one-time event; it’s a continuous cycle of planning, training, and revision. Knowing how to plan for a disaster is critical because effective planning can make a difference in lessening against a disaster’s effects and helping a community recover more quickly.

Reference:

FEMA. (2010). Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101 Version 2.0. Retrieved from www.fema.gov

FEMA. (2011). Emergency Planning, Independent Study 235.b. Retrieved from www.fema.gov.

Huder, R. C. (2012). Disaster Operations and Decision Making (5thed). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.