2.0 Emergency Operating Center
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2.1 Function of the EOC
The Emergency Operating Center (EOC) will be the focal point for all decision making and for all incoming and outgoing disaster information. As such, the EOC will help prevent confusion and panic among employees, visitors, students, and parents.
2.2 Location of the EOC
If the Ridder Park site is habitable, the EOC will be located in the Board Room or the Guadalupe Room, with support facilities in nearby Conference Center rooms. However, if the Ridder Park site is not habitable and/or evacuation has been ordered, the EOC will be located, on a short-term basis, outside of the building in the main parking area. Should the Ridder Park site remain uninhabitable for a long period of time, the EOC will be moved from the parking area to some other designated alternate site.
2.3 Activation of the EOC
If an emergency occurs during working hours, the EOC Director shall activate the Emergency Operating Center (EOC).
If an emergency occurs during non-working hours, the EOC Director, Safety Officer, Public Information Officer, Liaison Officer, Operations Chief, Planning/Intelligence Chief, Logistics Chief, and Finance/Administration Chief shall, after ensuring the security of their own families and homes, attempt to contact one another by telephone. Based upon an assessment at that time (e.g., whether the roads are open, whether the severity of the incident warrants activating the EOC, etc.), they should plan to report to the agreed upon location. If unable to make contact, they should plan to report to the Board Room or Guadalupe Room at the Ridder Park site.
2.4 EOC Director
Responsibilities:
The EOC Director is responsible for disaster operations and will remain at the EOC to observe and direct all operations during the emergency. The Director will ensure the safety of staff and others at the Ridder Park site.
Start-up Actions:
- Assess type and scope of emergency. Determine threat to human life and structures.
- Implement Emergency Preparedness Plan and specific emergency procedures.
- Develop and communicate action plans with objectives and a time frame to meet those objectives.
- Activate functions and assign personnel as needed.
Operational Duties:
- Continue to monitor and assess the total situation at the Ridder Park site.
- View site map periodically for search and rescue progress and damage assessment information.
- Check with emergency teams for periodic updates.
- Reassign personnel as needed. (By law, during a disaster employees become "disaster workers.")
- Develop and communicate revised action plans as needed.
- Authorize release of information.
- Plan regular breaks for all personnel. Take care of your caregivers.
- Release employees as appropriate.
Closing Down:
- Authorize deactivation of emergency teams when no longer required.
- Proclaim termination of the emergency and proceed with recovery operations if necessary.
- Ensure that any actions not yet completed will be taken care of after deactivation.
- Make sure that all records, logs, reports, photographs, and other documents are completed and given to the Situation Analysis / Documentation Team. (These documents must be retained as legal records of the emergency response.)
- Ensure that all staff participating in the emergency response turn in their hours to the Timekeeping Team.
2.5 Safety Officer
Responsibilities:
The Safety Officer ensures that all activities are conducted in as safe a manner as possible under the circumstances which exist.
Start Up Actions:
- Check in with Emergency Operating Center (EOC) Director for situation briefing.
- Obtain necessary equipment and supplies from Logistics.
- Work with Human Resources and the appropriate Assistant Superintendent on arrangements for the evacuation of persons with disabilities.
Operational Duties:
- Monitor drills, exercises, and emergency response activities for safety.
- Identify and mitigate safety hazards and situations.
- Stop or modify all unsafe operations.
- Ensure the responders use appropriate safety equipment.
- Think ahead and anticipate situations and problems before they occur.
- Anticipate situation changes, such as severe aftershocks, in all planning.
- Keep the Emergency Operating Center (EOC) director advised of your status and activity and on any problem areas that now need or will require solutions.
Closing Down:
- When authorized by EOC Director, deactivate the function.
- Return equipment and supplies to Logistics.
- Turn in your hours to the Timekeeping Team.
2.6 Public Information Officer
Responsibilities:
The public has the right and need to know important information related to emergencies at the SCCOE's central office and outlying school sites as soon as it is available. The Public Information Officer acts as the SCCOE's official spokesperson in an emergency situation. Information released must be consistent, accurate, and timely.
Start-Up Actions:
- Identify a "news center" site (located away from Emergency Operating Center and First Aid areas).
- Check in with EOC Director for a situation briefing.
Operational Duties:
- Keep up to date on the situation.
- Ensure that statements are approved by the EOC Director and include information on:
- Cause and time of emergency
- Size and scope of emergency
- Current situation -- condition of site, evacuation
- Progress, care being given, and injuries.
- Do not release any names.
- Remind staff to refer all questions from media or community members to the PIO.
- Update information periodically with Emergency Operating Center (EOC).
- Ensure announcements and other information are translated into other languages as needed.
- Monitor news broadcasts about the situation. Correct any misinformation heard.
Closing Down:
- At the EOC Director's direction, deactivate the function.
- Return equipment and supplies to Logistics.
- Turn in your hours to the Timekeeping Team.
2.7 Liaison Officer
Responsibilities:
The Liaison Officer serves as the point of contact for outlying school sites and agency representatives from assisting organizations and helps coordinate the efforts of these schools and outside agencies by ensuring the proper flow of information.
Start-up Actions:
- Check in with Emergency Operating Center (EOC) Director for situation briefing.
- Determine your personal operating location and set up as necessary.
- Maintain contact, if possible, with school sites. Operational Duties:
- Brief agency representatives and school principals on current situation, priorities and action plans.
- Ensure coordination of efforts by keeping EOC informed of agencies' action plans.
- Provide periodic update briefings to school principals and agency representatives as necessary.
Closing Down:
- At the EOC Director's direction, deactivate the function.
- Return equipment and supplies to Logistics.
- Turn in your hours to the Timekeeping Team.
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