TUSCALOOSA COUNTY
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)

WHAT IS THE EOC?
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) provides a secure location for local government elected officials and department heads to determine situational status, coordinate actions and make critical decisions during large-scale emergencies and disaster situations. Emergency Management staff maintains the EOC during normal daily operational duty hours. However, during activations; personnel from various agencies, departments, organizations and volunteers supplement the paid EOC staff.

The EOC, located at Tuscaloosa City Hall, includes the Operations Room, Warning Center, Communications Center, Reference Library, staff offices, Joint Information Center, functional work areas, full kitchen and shower/restroom facilities.

EOC CAPABILITIES
Information sharing and communications are the heart of EOC operations. It is the key to obtaining critical disaster intelligence, decision making and disseminating alerts to the public.

Operations Room: Contains large plasma display screens, computer positions, television monitors, conference facilities and shelves of operations plans. The Ops Room provides state-of-the-art technology that can readily place a myriad of information at the fingertips of decision makers in a controlled environment. The EOC LAN (local area network) includes emergency management information and tracking systems and direct web based communications with the SEOC (state emergency operations center).

Warning Center: Satellite, internet, closed circuit telephone, fiber optic cable systems, EAS encoder/decoders, EARS activators, outdoor siren telemetry, paging and secure radio communications create redundant and multiple intelligence and advance warning capabilities.

Communications Center: Eight radio positions allow multiple channel communications with police, fire, public works, and transportation departments for all local and state agencies and departments. A 2-meter amateur radio rack allows net controllers to position trained weather spotters across the county during severe weather outbreaks. There is also the availability of 800 mhz secure radio communications.

Reference Library: A wide variety of vhs tapes are available for staff training. Other disaster preparedness tapes and brochures are also available to be checked out by the general public.

Staff Offices: The executive office of the director, deputy director office, reception area and general staff offices are used for daily EOC operations as well as emergency activations.

Joint Information Center (JIC): The news media are the eyes and ears for area residents. It is imperative they be at the center of emergency operations so the public can receive timely and accurate information. The JIC provides a platform for government and private agency public information officers to disseminate critical communications to citizens and for media representatives to ask pertinent questions of emergency management personnel.

Functional Work Areas: During normal duty hours, staff offices provide adequate workspace. During activations, EOC staff can swell to between 30 and 50 personnel. Modular office space is available in an ancillary room to the Operations Center.

Kitchen/Shower Facilities: Long-term EOC activations for incidents such as winter storms and disaster recovery operations require living facilities for personnel. A full service kitchen can provide all the comforts of home. Restrooms are equipped with shower stalls. When rest is needed, rollaway beds can be brought into a makeshift dormitory room.

The Emergency Operations Center is located in the basement of Tuscaloosa City Hall.