EOC Specifications for Construction

An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) serves as the command post for local and state government officials to organize and coordinate logistical activities in case of emergencies, natural and manmade disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, hazardous material spills, or other events. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides grants to assist with construction costs to build new facilities or bring existing buildings up to the preparedness standards.

EOC Planning

• Emergency Operations Center design elements must incorporate features that promote an effective and efficient environment for emergency management and preparedness. EOC structures must house day-to-day operations and provide sufficient space for a wide variety of functions, including training, meetings and other assemblies. The facilities enhance emergency coordination and communication by heightening the capacity for efficient information presentation, arrangement and management. The planning process must include space, environmental issues, security, backup power telecommunications and supplies.

Space and Systems

• The size of the management team and support staff determines the square footage requirements for the facility. Most EOCs must also have the necessary space to feed and house people, such as cooking amenities and restrooms, should become necessary to remain within the building for a period of time. In addition, the building needs room to provide for outside agencies' personnel, electronic/ manual display systems, and telecommunication equipment. Planning the structure's lighting scheme and mandatory backup power supply is important because of the need to switch to the supplementary power source quickly and with little disruption. Typically, specifications for heating and cooling systems include an auxiliary power supply.

Disaster Reinforcement

• Usually, specifications for EOC structures require construction to meet or exceed certain building code standards so that the building and systems remain operable after an event such as an earthquake or hurricane. Typically, the plans include a base isolation feature, which places material between the building foundation and the ground, to withstand earthquakes. Since cities in Florida have more concern about hurricanes, the specifications may require structures to sustain a Category 5 Hurricane.

Self-Containment

• Most EOC specifications require buildings to have self-contained environmental and support systems, which lessen the structure to outside vulnerabilities. These features ensure the continuity of governmental operations regardless of the cause of the hazard. For example, the Salt Lake City EOC facility makes the design and reinforcement criteria for their EOC to a minimum of 150 percent of the safety requirements for the local building codes. In addition, the building has a dedicated water supply and backup emergency power supply. The data, voice and telecommunication systems can also withstand a major disaster.

Telecommunications Equipment

• The EOC operations work area must have switchboards, telephone lines, headsets, computers and fax machines. In addition, EOC facilities require incident and ham radios to communicate with field personnel, outside agencies and the general public.