The Emergency Operations Center

The Emergency Operations Center serves as a central hub during crises and large special events.  It brings together decision-makers, responders, and resources from different agencies to coordinate response and recovery efforts.  Representatives from various local, state, and federal organizations collaborate to ensure effective and efficient coordination to protect and assist the public.  EOC personnel gather analyze, and share information to develop situational awareness and maintain a common operating picture across all participating agencies.

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for activating the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and coordinating EOC activities within the City of Laurel and surrounding jurisdictions.  Using WebEOC, a cloud-based incident management software system, we communicate with county and state officials to ensure the City of Laurel receives vital resources when disaster strikes.  Throughout an activation, each City department’s response is monitored to ensure compliance with policies and statutes established by the Mayor and City Council.  

EOC Activation Levels

All levels provide for monitoring the incident in order to maintain a common operating picture and supporting on-scene agencies, as needed.  Each level represents an increased need for situational awareness and coordination of City response activities and resources.