The document discusses emergency operations centres (EOCs), which coordinate emergency responses. It describes the functions of an EOC, including collecting information, determining response priorities and assigning resources. An ideal EOC has good communications systems and software to support monitoring, decision-making and documentation. The physical layout of an EOC should reflect its organizational processes, with options including a direction room, mission control, market place or bull's eye configuration. Challenges for EOCs include ensuring the reliability of technology and managing online groups.

1. The Emergency Operations Centre Prof. David Alexander D.Alexander@alice.it

2. Emergency co-ordination plans Emergency procedures The emergency environment Contingency planning in real time Spontaneous improvisation

4. task forces

5. communications

6. chains of command Plans Procedures Results Operations

8. Two models of organisation of civil protection services Command function principle: allocating tasks according to level and objectives of decision-making (strategic, tactical, operational). Support function principle: allocating tasks according to functional sector (e.g. communications, logistics, utilities).

9. P ESTOR Policies/Ethics Strategies Tactics Operations Results Technical emergency services General public Administrators and politicians

11. a clear division of responsibilities

12. a residual component of authoritarianism

13. hierarchical decision-making processes

14. possibly not compatiblewith collaborative models.

17. Strategic command operations centre conference room Management system Mutual assistance agreements Communications protocols Tactical command operations centre operations room Tactical command operations centre operations room Communications protocols Operations command command post Ops command command post Operations command command post Communications protocols Task force site of incident Task force site of incident Task force site of incident

18. Mobile command structures

19. Mortuary area First aid medical post Primary assembly area Medical post for rescuers Incident command post Triage area Secondary assembly area Road block Ambulance loading area Rescue loop Minor injuries treatment Mass media post INCIDENT WITH VICTIMS Helicopter External cordon Main cordon

20. Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) "When disaster strikes, the best protection is to know what to do." - FEMA

21. Definition:- "A central structure of command and control which exercises the principles of planning and management of major events at the strategic level in crisis situations or other emergencies with the objective of ensuring continuity of operations for public and private organisations."

22. Definition:- "A physical locality housing elements of the organisation that co-ordinates emergency responses, allocates resources and conducts recovery actions."

23. Operations centres are of two types: always open (24hr) or to be activated in the case of an emergency. In an emergency or crisis it is important to activate the EOC as soon as possible such as to initiate the decision-making process promptly.

24. Emergency operations room Rest and recreation room Emergency Operation Centre Conference and decisions room ("situation room") Architecture of an operations centre

25. Conference room, DPC, Rome, Italy

27. usually outside the city centre (?)

28. at a communications node

29. where telecommunications are good

31. As it is the focal point of civil protection, the emergency operations centre is used as a laboratory for all activities in the field.

33. local cartography and topography

34. the services infrastructure

37. registration - of decisions - of actions.

42. comunicate over a wide geographical area

45. assign tasks to operational units

47. executive briefing

52. Essential elements of the EOC

54. documents and referenceinstruments for management (emergency plan and protocols).

59. allocation of resources

60. information flows

61. progress report onoperations and the status of the emergency.

63. Physical layout of the operations centre The physical form of the EOC should reflect the organisational processes going on within it. There are five or six possible models.

64. "Direction room": the staff of the centre are grouped around a single table or a few tables with an oval or horseshoe form that faces the centre.

66. good for groups that are not too large

67. the focal point is the end of the table

71. facilitates technical tasks but isa poor set up for human interactions.

72. "Market place": various tables distributed in a large space

76. "Bull's eye": the desks of various units are organised in a concentric form around a central table.

79. "Tin of sardines": too many people in too small a physical space.

81. wires everywhere, likewise documents

87. Thank you kindly for listening! d.alexander@alice.it