EOC stands up when bad things go down Published Feb. 26, 2016 By Jenny Gordon Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Like the old adage says, it's not a matter of if a disaster will strike in our community, but when. As events from this week's tornado exercise showed, one of the first steps taken with disaster response and recovery happens when a group of specialists from across the base walk through the doors of the Robins' Emergency Operations Center. Several tornado warnings were issued beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, some of the first to arrive in the EOC 30 minutes later were emergency operations personnel, followed by more than 30 unit representatives. As they entered a large room dedicated for emergency communication and coordination, a magnetic sign-in board was one of the first stops. Four groups of tables surround the room, with six to eight people sitting at each. One table at the center of the room is occupied by emergency management directors and a manager. Small signs above each work station designate the coinciding organization: firefighters; safety; public works; urban search and rescue; transportation; resource and medical support; and others. Two massive projection screens, nearly spanning from floor to ceiling, command the front of the room. They are used to detail damage reports and a record of events as they happen and are communicated to the EOC. Two television monitors are also stationed on either side to monitor newscasts. It's nearly 10 a.m., and Master Sgt. Jay Moreau, Installation Emergency manager, and Readiness and Emergency Management Flight superintendent, provides the group with an initial situation brief. "A tornado has touched down and damaged several buildings; there are reports of injuries." "Keep the lines of communication open," Moreau stressed aloud to the room. "Start looking at what assets you have to provide to this response ... we've got a lot of damage, and we need to clear it to keep the mission going." The flow of information is essential. In the EOC, that information supports the incident commander, and the fire chief, who is assessing life and property in the field. Voices steadily talk into telephones. They reach back to respective unit control centers which in turn provide updates on personnel and any property damages. Updates from each area are provided at the top of the hour. "It's information overload coming from multiple UCC's, multiple agencies, all at the same time," said Mark Martinez, Installation Emergency manager. "The priority here in the first hour is to support the incident commander ... the initial focus is to save lives. Once there's an assessment status, then it's working the recovery plan." In the adjoining room are members of base leadership who form the Crisis Action Team. While the EOC provides tactical response in the event of a natural disaster, the CAT provides strategic decisions on things like base closure or delayed reporting as needed.