What is the structure of the EOC?
The Emergency Operations Centre structure is set out under the BC Emergency Management System
(BCEMS) which uses the structure and guidelines of the Incident Command System (ICS). This flexible,
standardized system is a common approach to Emergency Management that has been used
internationally since the early 1970s.
EOC Activation
Initially the positions within the EOC are staffed by qualified individuals from PRRD staff. PRRD staff
are required, as part of their jobs, to undertake emergency management training. As the emergency
event stretches over a longer time period, trained and experienced staff from neighboring
municipalities and other areas of the province are brought in to provide relief for PRRD staff.
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Policy Group
When an EOC is activated, local authorities establish a policy group comprised of the head of the local
authority (e.g., Chair) and other board members and senior executive officers in order to provide the
EOC Director with policy direction. An example of this level of policy direction is the declaration of a
“state of local emergency.”
EOC Director
The Director in the EOC has overall responsibility for the EOC. He or she provides leadership to the
management team (section chiefs and executive), approves EOC objectives brought forward, and
communicates with the Policy Group.
Operations – ‘the Doers’
Communicates with site and field personnel
Supports site operations
Implements plans and strategies
Coordination of multi-agency/department responses
Planning – ‘the Thinkers’
Collects, evaluates, displays info
Develops action plans and creates status reports
Conduct long-term/advanced planning
Recommends alternative actions
Maintains overall resource and event status
Logistics – ‘the Getters’
Orders supplies and requested resources
Establishes transportation resources
Arranges staffing and staffing requests
Finance – ‘the Payers’
Tracking of expenses
Coordinates cost reimbursement claims to the province
Supports contracts and procurement
Tracks personnel time
Incident Commander
The individual responsible for the management of all incident operations at the incident site.