Functions and elements of an EOC
EOCs carry out a number of functions.
Take a moment to consider the various functions that an EOC might be expected to provide and then on a piece of paper, jot down your answers/thoughts. Once you have exhausted your thoughts click on the answer box below to view our comments on EOC functions.
Elements of an EOC
Now that we have identified some of the functions of an EOC, we can look at the individual elements of an EOC that are required to enable these functions to occur.
There are generally four main functional elements required in an EOC. These are:
- control elements;
- operations elements;
- communications elements;
- administrative/support elements.
Each of these elements provides a number of services to the EOC. Some services may be similar, whilst others may be specific to that particular element.
So far we have discussed the location of EOCs, the functions of an EOC and the functional elements of an EOC.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Read Textbook: Disaster management: A disaster manager's handbook , Chapters 11. |
This reading serves to summarise what we have discussed and examined so far.
Earlier in this topic you identified the location of EOCs within your local area. I would now like you to choose one of these, a multi-agency EOC if possible, and examine its functions and capabilities and comment on each of the aspects contained in the activity document in the link below:
| Details regarding the activitation of EOC and alerting of staff | Details regarding the maintenance and checking of facilities within the EOC | Alternate EOC locations |
Where do the EOC staff come from? |
||
Are there any designated liaison officers for the EOC? If so, from which organisations or departments? |
||
Are there any specific EOC Standard Operating Procedures or Guidelines, plans etc.? If so are the organisational or multi-organisational? Are they related to the Functional areas and services provided by the EOC? |
||
| When was the last EOC exercise and training session conducted? |
||
Remember to save your work once you have completed it.
Relationship between functions
As stated previously, there are four main functional elements of an EOC. For an EOC to operate efficiently and effectively there must be some form of co-operation or relationship between these elements.
Using the studies you have carried our to date, consider how each of these elements relate with each other in your local EOC and draw a diagram or flow chart of how they interact and process information, decisions etc.
Consider the results if one of these elements was not present, or if the communications paths between two or more of the elements was broken or only acted in one direction.
|
 |
Read Reading 9.4: Problems and difficulties in the use of local EOCs in natural disasters. |
Consider the points raised in Reading 9.4 and their relevance to EOCs in your local community and those established during the event you are studying for this subject.