What is the primary function of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)?

The primary function of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is to coordinate information and resources during a disaster response. An EOC acts as a centralized location where various agencies and organizations can come together to manage and respond to emergencies effectively. It ensures that all communication lines remain open and that critical resources—such as personnel, equipment, and information—are allocated quickly and efficiently.

By serving as a hub for decision-making and operational coordination, the EOC plays a crucial role in maintaining situational awareness and facilitating timely responses to incidents. This function underpins the overall effectiveness of disaster management efforts, helping to bring together a unified response from multiple stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies.

In contrast, enforcing disaster laws and regulations, providing medical assistance, or conducting research are important aspects of disaster management; however, they are not the central role of an EOC. Instead, these functions may take place in conjunction with EOC operations but do not encompass the EOC's primary purpose of coordination during disaster responses.