In this lesson, you will learn about
EOC activation practices, processes and your role during an initial
call-out and activation.
EOC Activation Guidelines
As
part of your organization's EOC or Emergency plan, a process for
activating your EOC should be captured. This part of your EOC plan
should include:
1. who has the authority to activate
2. a list of activation criteria or triggers
3. a process for determining the level of activation
4. procedures for initial call-out of personnel
💡 Did You Know?
In
the absence of an activated EOC, an organisation would still continue
to provide support to their site/field responders through the
organisation’s day-to-day operational practices. The EOC is usually only
activated when the level of site-support has the potential to overwhelm
resources or regular operational capabilities.
💭 Reflection
Are
you familiar with your organisation's EOC Activation Guidelines? If
not, reach out to your supervisor or emergency management personnel to
learn more.
Activation Authority
Your
organisation's EOC Plan should identify positions with authority to
activate the EOC. This list should be large enough to not jeopardize
activation due to absent employees or those unable to respond due to
personal impacts of the disaster.
This list may include:
1. Senior Management/Leadership personnel in the organisation
2. Chair/lead of Policy/Executive Group
3. Lead of emergency/disaster management unit (or similar department)
4. Personnel identified as EOC Manager/Director
5. Senior/Chief Public Health Medical Officer
EOC Activation Criteria
Also
in your EOC plan, there should be a list of activation criteria, or
“triggers” identified. These criteria should be specific to your
organisation and may include:
1. Incident site or field
operations requires significant support (e.g., coordination/acquisition
of resources, coordination of agencies)
2. Coordination or management of a large-scale/complex response is required
3. Significant population is impacted or at risk
4. Uncertain response condition or risk of rapid escalation exists
5. A “state of emergency” or “declaration” has been issued
6. Significant information management issues need to be addressed
7. Potential threats to be monitored
Activation Factors
Even with a list of activation criteria, it can still be difficult to
make a decision about EOC activation. To assist, three categories of
activation factors can be considered:
Site Support or Coordinate - Factors directly related to operational/response needs at the site or in the field (or a lower level EOC).
Reporting and Liaison
- Factors related to legal, political, or higher-level organizational
reporting and accountability which the site (or lower level EOC) may not
be able to address.
Information Management -
Factors related to excessive information or timely management of
information which can not be adequately addressed by regular resources.
The
decision to active may not always be obvious, but the criteria and
activation factors, along with team input, professional judgment, and
the evaluation of each unique situation will help in making a decision.
a look at the three categories of factors below, which might indicate
the need to activate or expand your EOC. Review each situation card and
slide it to the category which best fits
☝ ️Tip!
If
you are involved in activation decisions and are unsure, it is always
better to activate. If you are not sure about the size of activation, go
larger and scale back if personnel are not needed. If
activation was not necessary, the process of activating would still
have been of great training and exercising value. Be sure to capture
feedback to update process and practices!
Levels of Activation
There are four activation levels for EOC's. Knowing what level your EOC
is at will help to clarify priorities and responsibilities. These levels
can also be used to communicate your current readiness internally and
to external partners. Some variations may exist across different
organizations.
1. Watch Level - Constant monitoring of hazards and
threats between EOC activations. This watch mode may occur through an
existing department, or through/within a EOC if regularly staffed.
2. Alert Level - Initial "stand-up" and/or standby of EOC
personnel for emergency events which have occurred or are imminent.
Personnel briefings may occur at this level to prepare staff for a
response activation.
3. Response Level - Partial or full activation of the EOC
in response to an emergency event. At this response level, additional
levels or modes may also be defined relative to the magnitude, scope and
impact of an emergency event. These additional levels may be response
Level 1 (small events), Level 2 (moderate events), and Level 3 (large
events).
4. Deactivation Level - EOC efforts are focused on
disengaging from response activities, demobilizing activities and
personnel, initiating evaluation processes, and the orderly return to
normal operations.
💡 Did You Know?
Event
grading (Ungraded, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3) of emergency/disaster
situations is another scale or classification system used in Public
Health Emergency Management. Grading
is a process of classifying an emergency event based on the threat,
event context, and resources that may be required. This system helps
with planning and in clarifying actions and resources that will be necessary at each level. Although different than EOC activation levels they can be linked through activation criteria or triggers.
Initial EOC Activities
Initial Call-Out
Notification
of EOC personnel may be initiated through an alert or notification
system, a call centre, or a phone/email list with key information being
provided.
Review the picture to see what information should be provided during an initial call-out.
💭 Reflection
You receive a text alert advising that your EOC is activating and you are required to respond! What should you do now? Have you discussed what might be involved with family and colleagues?
Factors to Consider
Factors to Consider
Personal
factors to consider prior to accepting an EOC activation or deployment.
These factors may limit your ability to meet the demands of an EOC
assignment, especially if it has extended hours or is a hardship
deployment. Knowledge of these factors will help ensure your success in
the EOC.
Personal Health - Do you have any health conditions or requirements that would impact or be magnified by a stressful response role?
Personal Life - Have you recently experienced any trauma or loss, or have upcoming obligations which might be impacted by long hours in the EOC?
Family Life - Do you have care obligations for children/ family? Are there any changes in family status which might impact your response?
Employment Demands - Is
there someone who can cover your regular duties when assigned to the
EOC? Are there any upcoming deadlines that must still be met?
Initial EOC Activities
💭 Reflection
You have now safely arrived at the EOC! Take a moment to list a few initial activities that you will complete upon arrival
☝ ️Tip!
Although
every EOC response may be different, there is often a tendency to
quickly jump into your role, but taking the time to complete these
initial activities will help build a solid foundation for your future
work.
Summary
1. Your EOC's plan should identify activation authority, triggers, levels, and procedures to call-out personnel.
2. EOC activation levels may include Watch, Alert, Response, and
Deactivation; and Response may have Levels 1 to 3 from small to large.
3. Personnel should prepare for an EOC call-out by considering potential health, personal, family, and employment impacts.
4. Identifying and following initial EOC activities will help establish a solid foundation for your response assignment.
