U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency

Resource: EOC Management Support Team
Category: Other: Command & Operations Support/Management Functions
Kind: Team
Components and Capabilities: An Incident Commander is an optional member of the team, since it is assumed that an Incident Command/lead has already been established under which these support functions will operate. Refer also to "Incident Management Team."
Minimum Capabilities (Component) Minimum Capabilities
(Metric)
Type I Type II Type III Type IV Other
Information Officer See Comments for Metrics Yes Yes Yes Yes  
Liaison Officer Yes Yes Yes Yes  
Safety Officer          
Incident Commander (optional) Optional Optional Optional    
Administrative Aide   Yes      

Comments:

Provides support to an Incident Commander. Typically comprised of an Information Officer, Liaison Officer, Safety Officer, and Administrative Aide, although some functions may be optional. expressmedscanada.com

Information Officer:  The Information Officer is responsible for developing and releasing information about the incident to the news media, to incident personnel, and to other appropriate agencies and organizations. Only one Information Officer will be assigned for each incident, including incidents operating under Unified Command and multijurisdiction incidents. The Information Officer may have assistants as necessary, and the assistants may also represent assisting agencies or jurisdictions.

Liaison Officer:  Incidents that are multijurisdictional, or have several agencies involved, may require the establishment of the Liaison Officer position on the Command Staff. Only one Liaison Officer will be assigned for each incident, including incidents operating under Unified Command and multijurisdiction incidents. The Liaison Officer may have assistants as necessary, and the assistants may also represent assisting agencies or jurisdictions. The Liaison Officer is the contact for the personnel assigned to the incident by assisting or cooperating agencies. These are personnel other than those on direct tactical assignments or those involved in a Unified Command.

Safety Officer:  The Safety Officer’s function is to develop and recommend measures for assuring personnel safety, and to assess and/or anticipate hazardous and unsafe situations. Only one Safety Officer will be assigned for each incident. The Safety Officer may have assistants as necessary, and the assistants may also represent assisting agencies or jurisdictions. Safety assistants may have specific responsibilities such as air operations, hazardous materials, etc.

Administrative Aide:  The Administrative Aide’s function is to provide administrative/secretarial support to the EOC Management Support Team. Responsibilities include keeping official minutes of team meetings, receiving phone calls to the EOC, making meeting arrangements, and other duties as needed.

Source: FIRESCOPE, California Department of Emergency Services, 2001; Phoenix Fireground, City of Phoenix Fire Department, 2002

 


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