The Operations Room plays a central role in the EOC. The EOC Manager supervises the Operations Room through the Operations Chief who in turn directs the EOC Staff Function Coordinators and other staff. 

• On-the-scene personnel
• Weather Service
• State Highway Patrol
• Division of Criminal Information (DCI)
• State EM Area Coordinator
• State Warning Point
• News Media
• Public
• Hazardous materials fixed facilities in the county

• Warning may be received by the Gaston County Communications Center (9-1-1).
• The Gaston County Emergency Management Administrator or his representative may also receive Warnings / Alerts.

When activation of the EOC occurs, each EOC Staff Member is to:
 

• Summary of Actions since last Operations Briefing
• Anticipated support problems or needs
• Planned Actions before next Operations Briefing

• Chief executives (i.e., County Commission, County Manager)
• Emergency Management Administrator (EOC Manager)
• Public Information Officer
• Liaison Officer
• S.E.R.T. (State Emergency Response Team) Representative
• Safety Officer

• Operations Manager
• Deputy Operations Manager
  • EOC Log
  • Scribe
• Law Enforcement
  • Evacuation
  • Warning
• Fire / Rescue
• Emergency Medical Services
• Transportation Resources
  • Public Works
• Mass Care
  • Human Services

• Inspections
• Solid Waste
• Cooperative Extension
• Information Technology/GIS
• Hazardous Materials
• Radiological 
• Animal Control  
• Utilities
• Other technical support services

• Security
  • Reception
• EOC Services
• EOC Communications
  • WebEOC
  • Duke WebEOC
  • 911
  • ARES
  • Phone Bank
  • Runner

• Cost Recovery
• Purchasing
• Documentation

• Chief Executives (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: On behalf of the highest elected official of the jurisdiction, ensure that necessary and appropriate actions are taken to protect people and property from the consequences of emergencies or disasters.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Consider the advice of the EOC Manager and make decisions that are jurisdiction-wide in scope.
  • Write out broad jurisdiction Objectives to protect people and property from the consequences of emergencies or disasters and then communicate them to the EOC Manager.
  • Write out broad jurisdiction Priorities for necessary and appropriate actions and communicate them to the EOC Manager.
  • Issue appropriate emergency or disaster declarations on behalf of the highest elected official of the affected jurisdiction.
  • Through the EOC Manager, direct the EOC in centralizing the coordination of jurisdiction resources.
     
• EOC Manager (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Primary interface between the EOC facility and elected officials. Supervise all EOC activities including coordination of response and recovery through the Operations Chief. Coordinate flow of information, internal and external communications, command and control, and physical operation of the EOC.
  
  Specific Responsibilities: 
  • Help the Chief Executive Official or Representative set overall objectives and priorities, and then communicate the results to the EOC staff by defining tactical objectives and response coordination priorities.
  • In collaboration with the Chief Executive Official or Representative, Operations Chief, or function coordinators:
    • Analyze the situation.
    • Determine the EOC level of activation.
  • Enforce EOC procedures.
     
• Public Information Officer (PIO) (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Advise the EOC Manager on all Public Information matters.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Ensure that the jurisdiction "speaks with one voice" (from one release point throughout the emergency) through the EOC Manager.
  • Manage all aspects of Emergency Public Information (EPI) on behalf of the Chief Executive Official.
  • Stay abreast of Public Information activities and resource status through the EOC displays and update the EOC Manager.
  • Anticipate the wider public's interest and desire to help or seek information.
  • Give the public accurate, timely, and useful information and instructions.
  • Develop productive relationships with the news media.
  • Supervise the Media Briefing Room.
     
• Liaison Officer (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Act as the point of contact for personnel from assisting or cooperating agencies outside the EOC jurisdiction including the U.S. military and State or other government agencies.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Alert personnel from assisting or cooperating agencies.
  • Provide up-to-date information about EOC Operations and facilities to assisting or cooperating agencies.
  • Advise the EOC Manager about resource capabilities from assisting or cooperating agencies.
  • Perform other duties as instructed by the EOC Manager.

• Operations Chief reports to the EOC Manager (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Supervise the collection of information for maintaining situational awareness of the emergency and provide coordination of resources to support emergency operations.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Stay abreast of the emergency situation by reviewing EOC Displays.
  • Brief the EOC Operations staff every 30 or 60 minutes, or as needed, depending on the progress of the emergency.
  • Update the Major Events display.
  • Stay abreast of Public Information activities and resource status through the EOC displays.
  • Assist the EOC Manager in formulating a Plan of Action for the jurisdiction.

• Deputy Operations Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Supervise the EOC Message System and manage the Message LOG binder, so that the Operations Chief can direct the EOC with "hands free" and perform the duties of Operations Chief in his/her absence.
   
  • EOC Log reports to the Deputy Operations Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Record all major events by time line that occurs in the EOC. Perform data entry tasks as needed.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Use Word or other suitable program to record all major activities and events in the EOC and to project onto wall display for entire EOC staff to see.
    • Review Message Forms from Deputy Operations Chief DISPLAY BOX, to see if any of these events should be recorded.
    • May (as needed) also monitor WebEOC depending on staff availably.
       
  • Operations Scribe reports to the Deputy Operations Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Hand print information from message forms onto EOC Operations Room displays. Perform data entry tasks as needed.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Review Message Forms from Deputy Operations Chief DISPLAY BOX.
    • Post information on appropriate Operations Chief displays in ONE-INCH HIGH, CAPITAL LETTERS. Information must be readable from across the EOC Operations Room.
    • Mark form "Displayed."
    • Return displayed message forms to the Message File binder or to the Deputy Operations Chief's IN-BOX.
       
• Law Enforcement Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Advise the Operations Chief on all matters pertaining to Law Enforcement capabilities and activities.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Stay abreast of the following activities and resource status through the EOC displays and the EOC Manager:
    • Law Enforcement
    • Evacuations
    • Warnings
       
  • Evacuation Coordinator reports to the Law Enforcement Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Advise the Law Enforcement Coordinator on all matters pertaining to Evacuation capabilities and activities.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Identify and select evacuation routes.
    • Prepare evacuation movement control plans and brief the Law Enforcement Coordinator.
    • Coordinate the movement of evacuees from the hazard area to shelters or mass care facilities, if appropriate.
       
  • Warning Coordinator reports to the Law Enforcement Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Advise the Law Enforcement Coordinator on all matters pertaining to Warning capabilities and activities.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Activate the public warning system to receive and communicate timely warnings to appropriate officials and to the public concerning actual or potential emergency or disaster conditions.
       
• Fire / Rescue Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Advise the Operations Chief on all Fire & Rescue matters.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Stay abreast of Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services and Health and Medical activities and resource status through the EOC displays and coordinators.
  • Coordinate resource requests for Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services and Health and Medical field operations.
     
• EMS, Health, Medical Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Advise the Operations Chief on all matters pertaining to Health and Medical capabilities and activities.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate health and medical resource requests from responders in the field.
  • Alert auxiliary or reserve health and medical personnel, if potentially needed.
  • Coordinate the location, procurement, screening, and allocation of health and medical supplies and resources, including human resources, required to support health and medical operations.
  • Define categories for Casualty Statistics for consistent casualty reporting.
     
• Transportation and Resources Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position)
  
  General Responsibilities: Stay abreast of Transportation and Resources activities and resource status through the EOC displays and through contact with the Transportation and Resources agencies.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Determine the
    • Specialized resources that are unavailable to responding agencies and their Function Coordinators at the Emergency Operations Center.
    • Exhausted supplies and resources of emergency response agencies.
    • Supply needs generated by the emergency.
  • Obtain needed resources and supplies.
  • Maintain financial and legal accountability.
  • Distribute supplies.
     
  • Public Works Coordinator  Reports to: Transportation and Resources Function Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Advise the Transportation and Resources Function Coordinator on all matters pertaining to Public Works /Damage Assessment capabilities and activities.

    Specific Responsibilities:

    • Coordinate the location, procurement, and allocation of public works resources required to support public works operations.
    • Coordinate the continuation or restoration of those public services essential for basic human needs, the removal of debris and restoration of public access, and the accomplishment of a public shelter upgrade program, if needed.
    • Damage Assessment - Gather and evaluate information to determine the extent of damage and the impact on the community resulting from a disaster.
       
• Mass Care Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Advise the Operations Chief on all Mass Care matters.

  Specific Responsibilities:

  • Stay abreast of Mass Care activities and resource status through the EOC displays and the Mass Care resources.
  • Recommend to the Operations Chief the number and locations of mass care facilities to be opened.
  • Alert persons and organizations identified in the mass care resource list about the possible need for services and facilities.
  • Coordinate the necessary actions to ensure mass care facilities are opened and staffed, as needed.
     
  • Human Services Coordinator Reports to: Mass Care Coordinator (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Advise the Mass Care Coordinator on all Human Services matters.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Stay abreast of Human Services activities and resource status through the EOC displays and the Mass Care resources.
    • Plan for coordination of social services operations during disaster.
    • Coordinate emergency activities during response and recovery with American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Aging, and other volunteer organizations to include sheltering, mass care, and clothing.
    • Provide trained personnel for the staffing, operation and support of DSS or Red Cross Shelters. DSS has primary responsibility in providing shelter for persons with special needs who cannot be accommodated in a general population shelter.
    • Coordinate with the Health Department and Mental Health Agencies to provide support personnel and services during disasters.

• Planning Chief reports to the EOC Manager (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities:
  • Work closely with EOC staff and field personnel in formulating the best possible picture of the current situation.
  • Work closely with EOC staff and field personnel in determining the incident strategy and tactical objectives.
  • Plan for relief and replacement of staff as appropriate. Acquire support staff as needed.
  • Ensure the Incident Action Plan (IAP) is constructed, copied and disseminated to all incident personnel.
  • Provide periodic status reports to the EOC.

• Logistics Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Manage EOC facility resources and security.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Support EOC activities and staff by providing those services and supplies necessary to ensure a productive work environment.
  • Provide and maintain an effective communication system within the EOC facility, and between the EOC and appropriate outside organizations.
  • Supervise the EOC Message Center staff.
  • Stay abreast of emergency activities and resource status through the EOC displays.
     
• EOC Security (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Supervise general security for the EOC facility. Local law enforcement is tasked to provide physical security to the EOC facility.
   
  • EOC Reception reports to EOC Security (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Assist in preventing unauthorized persons from entering the EOC.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Ensure that each Visitor who wants access to the EOC wears a Visitor Badge.
    • Log each person in who will work in the EOC.
    • Write the person's name and assigned position on a self-stick name tag.
       
• EOC Services (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Support EOC activities and staff by providing those services and supplies necessary to ensure a productive work environment.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Provide food and beverages to EOC staff in the appropriate eating areas.
  • Maintain supplies for both
    • EOC Operations such as Message forms; and
    • facility areas such as restrooms, kitchens, break areas, and sleeping rooms.
    • Maintain the EOC facility utilities to include power generation equipment.
       
• EOC Communications (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Provide and maintain an effective communication system within the EOC, and between the EOC and appropriate outside organizations.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Supervise the EOC Message Center.
  • Ensure that the EOC Message Center is properly staffed at all times: Qualify Radio / Telephone Operators and Runners using the Aptitude and Qualification Tests as needed during emergencies.
  • Maintain communications equipment for all EOC staff.
  • Repair and implement backup communication systems.
  • Ensure that the EOC maintains continuous communications during EOC relocations.
    • Provide and maintain primary communications for the Emergency Operations Center on a 24-hour basis using all available public and private communications systems.
    • Coordinate communications and warnings radio frequencies.
       
  • Radio, Telephone Operator reports to EOC Communications (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Receive messages coming into the EOC by voice and print message data on the EOC Message Form.
    
    Specific Responsibilities: Place completed EOC Message forms in OUT BOX for the EOC Runner.
     
  • Runner reports to EOC Communications (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Analyze and route completed incoming Message Forms from EOC OUT BOXES to the appropriate EOC Staff members.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Continually check EOC Message Center and EOC Staff OUT BOXES when not delivering messages information.
    • Analyze incoming Message Forms and assign Priority when needed. Requests for resources or sensitive information and information about new incidents or major events should be marked URGENT. Use your judgment.
    • Route information on Message Forms or forms to the appropriate EOC Staff members.
    • When in doubt about any of the responsibilities above, consult with the Operations Chief or Deputy Operations Chief.

• Finance Chief  (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
  
  General Responsibilities: Continuously estimate response costs using information from message forms, reports and the EOC Staff.
  
  Specific Responsibilities:
  • Ensure that proper accounting and purchasing procedures are in place and are executed in a timely fashion to support all EOC activities.
  • Organize and supervise all documentation activities in support of claims and reimbursement requests resulting from emergency activities.
  • Identify, document, and track all relevant emergency response related expenditures.
  • Stay abreast of Public Information activities and resource status through the EOC displays.
     
  • Cost Recovery - Compilation reports to the Finance Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Organize and supervise all documentation activities in support of claims and reimbursement requests resulting from EOC activities and jurisdiction response.
     
  • Purchasing reports to the Finance Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Ensure the proper accounting and purchasing procedures are in place and are executed in a timely fashion to support all EOC activities.
     
  • Documentation reports to the Finance Chief (see detailed information in the EOC Staff Binder for this position).
    
    General Responsibilities: Identify, document, and track all relevant EOC and Emergency Response related expenditures.
    
    Specific Responsibilities:
    • Use copies of the Message Form to compile or estimate emergency costs.

• With exception of special diets which are the responsibility of the individuals, meals will be provided within the EOC when circumstances dictate or outside travel is restricted or curtailed.
   
• The procurement of food supplies will be the responsibility of EOC Services.
   
• Preparation of meals within the EOC will be accomplished by either EOC Services or procured from the private sector.

CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT 

The line of succession is:

Attachment 1
Emergency Operations Center Key Staff Alert List
 

Attachment 2
EOC ICS Organizational Chart
(clicking on the diagram below will open it in a separate window for display)