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Emergency Operations Centers Prepare For Hurricane Season

May 30, 2018
By:
Constant Technologies

Atlantic hurricane season may technically run from June 1 – November 30, but it has had an early start.

Subtropical Storm Alberto made landfall in the Florida Panhandle over Memorial Day Weekend, on the afternoon of May 28, 2018. Alberto was the first named storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season with more to follow. Flash flooding and mudslides have already occurred in several counties across the southeastern U.S. as a result of Alberto.

During this year’s Atlantic hurricane season the NOAA predicts a 70% likelihood of 10 – 16 named storms, of which 5 – 9 could becomes hurricanes and 1 – 4 could be major hurricanes. The NOAA also released predictions for the eastern and central Pacific basins, including a probability of 3 – 7 major hurricanes in the eastern Pacific and 3 – 6 tropical cyclones including tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes in the central Pacific.

Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) are activating in anticipation of a season that’s predicted to be near- or above-normal. While this year’s hurricane season is not expected to be as dramatic as last year’s, there is an increased emphasis on preparation to facilitate rapid response. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said, “The devastating hurricane season of 2017 demonstrated the necessity for prompt and accurate hurricane forecasts.”

Before, during, and after hurricanes and other tropical storms, EOCs play a vital role. With the use of a command center video wall, operators in an EOC build can track and predict weather patterns and measure the potential impact of a storm. Locally based EOCs communicate with larger operations on a state and national level to coordinate efforts and share resources and information. EOCs also coordinate immediate response efforts to emergency situations, including not only events at the height of the storm but also incidents that occur as a result such as flooding and mudslides.

Emergency operations center design is important; since an EOC serves as the central hub of incident preparation and response it must be able to gather and share critical information, coordinate response initiatives, and manage personnel — often across various departments. The design of an EOC should facilitate ease of use rather than distract from the vital roles that operators play. At Constant, we know that public safety in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm can depend on an EOC building running at peak efficiency. Staff in an emergency operations center must be able to display a variety of data on the operations center video wall so information can be aggregated and analyzed quickly to make potentially lifesaving decisions. From EOC space design and ergonomic considerations to video wall systems and control room furniture, Constant Technologies provides you with what you need for a turnkey EOC installation that is ready to be activated at a moment’s notice.

Constant’s emergency operations center furniture solutions are custom designed to maximize collaboration within an EOC environment but can also easily adapt to a classroom or training environment for use when the EOC is not activated. Our design team will help you find the best emergency operations center layout as well as audiovisual technology rated for round-the-clock use.

With hurricane season about to begin, it is time to ensure your EOC is ready for activation. To take the important first step in your EOC redesign, contact us today.

 

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About Constant:

Constant Technologies, Inc. is a premier mission critical systems integrator providing customized audiovisual integration and console furniture solutions worldwide. With over three decades of experience, Constant’s team has experience with sensitive environments in both the public and private sectors and has implemented turnkey solutions all over the globe. Constant designs, installs and services projects of all scopes and sizes to create solutions with the highest levels of security, aesthetics and functionality in mind.

 


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May 30, 2018