By definition, an Emergency Operations Center is a central control activity responsible for carrying out a multitude of critical tasks in a coordinated fashion that minimizes loss of life and property during an emergency, and then directs the recovery of critical operations within the geographical area of responsibility. The Emergency Operations Center is the informational crossroads during a crisis. These centers act as a focal point for receiving various forms of data then analyzing and acting upon them to meet specific needs resulting from changing events.

The EOC is dependent on modern communications and the interaction of groups and individuals within the operations center. In order to perform these tasks in an efficient and well-coordinated manner, emergency operations center design should meet the operational goals contained in the concept of operations. This means specially designed furnishings, video walls and interconnecting audiovisual systems among other things.

Appropriate design is crucial for an EOC 
There is understandably great importance given to emergency operations center design and layout because specialized furniture and essential equipment ensure the participants level of comfort and performance during long and challenging hours when the EOC is convened. The staff should work in a convenient and comfortable work environment with all the essential tools at their fingertips. The furniture should be specially designed for intensive use and be modular for reconfiguration as requirements change.

The emergency operations center design considers shape and size of the entire room, number of staff participating, budget, and concept of operations.

The furniture design could be any one or a combination of more than one type with its configuration meeting the functional needs of the staff. The configuration could include clusters, or rows of workstations that are facing each other or facing large video screens depending on operational requirements. Some designs could also include a large video wall which are connected to other rooms within the EOC. These rooms could include conference rooms, break out rooms, administrative and management offices.

There are a variety of options for emergency operations center design. For this reason it’s important to engage a firm with experience in Emergency Operations Center, space planning, specialized furnishings and audiovisual systems integration. A turnkey solution is always best. Search the web and seek recommendations for the appropriate company to assist you at the beginning of your project. Professional assistance will save you time and money and ensure that work is completed on schedule.