4 Crucial Considerations of Emergency Operation Center Design

Emergency operation center design is of vital importance. All control rooms need careful design. However, emergency operation center design requires a particular kind of expertise to get it right. Here are some of the unique considerations of emergency center control rooms.

1. Flexibility Is Critical

On a daily basis, the staff and function of an emergency center stay relatively consistent. However, if there is an emergency on a massive scale, that can change quickly. Unfortunately, this isn’t so hard to imagine these days. In these circumstances, the emergency operation center would need to adapt immediately. Most of all, there would be additional staffing needs and a requirement for greater support with communication and tech. So, all of these considerations should go into the emergency operation center design phase.

2. Sustainability Is Key in Emergency Operation Center Design

Furthermore, EOCs are 24/7 operations. As a result, they’re staffed around the clock and need access to telecommunications and technology without interruption at all times. Not only is this vital during regular activity, but in the case of emergency situations, the center needs to be able to sustain the staff for an indefinite period. It must do this in an area that has a very low risk of hazards, including flooding or risk of exposure to hazardous materials. Planning and design are crucial to getting this right.

3. Center Process and Flow Are Imperative

The flow of any operations center or control room is necessary to make sure the people using it are productive and that the center meets the needs of those depending on it. When it comes to emergency control rooms, this is increasingly true. Consideration of who will be using the room, and the function of each individual or team will help with a successful design process. Planning for  emergency operation center furniture workstations, audio and video technology, and additional space needed for strategy meetings should be part of the initial design of the operations center.

4. Staffing Needs Consideration

The size of the staff and the average occupancy of the room are important to consider during the design phase. In a rural town with a smaller population, the emergency center needs will be different than that of a metropolitan area. The design of the center should focus on such. The number people that need to work within the operations center at any given time will determine necessary 24/7 control room seating, workstations, and furniture.

Every control room needs careful planning to be successful and functional. But, an emergency control center needs unique considerations to be able to save lives. For the best emergency operation center design, contact the experts at Fountainhead Control Rooms.