Emergency Operations Center

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the central location from which response and recovery activities are coordinated during a major emergency or disaster. The key function of the EOC is to ensure that those responders working in the field have the resources needed to carry out their assignments. It allows decision-makers to operate in one place to coordinate and communicate with support staff.

The EOC does not provide on-scene management. Tactical direction and control rests with the Incident Commander(s) in the field. It manages the overall event through several key functions:

  • Direction and control (broad guidance, not tactical)
  • Situation assessment
  • Management of information and data
  • Coordination
  • Priority setting
  • Public information
  • Resource management

The New Bedford EOC is located at the Emergency Management Department building at 834 Kempton Street. The Emergency Management Department is responsible for maintaining and operating the EOC.

The Emergency Operations Center is often activated at a “Minimal Staffing” level, with Emergency Management staff and volunteers, when there is a potential for an emergency or disaster situation developing. When fully activated to perform its management and coordination role, the Mayor, Emergency Management Director and other key staff are present at the EOC as well as senior officials from department and agencies such as:

  • Police Department
  • Fire Department
  • Emergency Medical Services Department
  • Public Infrastructure Department
  • Public Facilities Department
  • Health Department
  • Inspectional Services Department
  • Harbor Development Commission
  • School Department
  • Communications Division
  • Community Services Department
  • Regional Airport
  • Cemetery Department
  • American Red Cross

Another critical function of the Emergency Operations Center is communications with response agencies and other jurisdictions. The New Bedford EOC Communications Room has direct two-way radio communication links with:

  • All New Bedford government agencies:
    1. Police
    2. Fire
    3. Emergency Medical Services
    4. Emergency Management
    5. Public Infrastructure
    6. Public Facilities
    7. School Department
    8. Regional Airport
  • Emergency Management agencies of bordering communities
  • Area police and fire departments via regional/county radio networks
  • Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
  • American Red Cross
  • Southeastern Regional Transit Authority