Volunteer Staff

The Columbia County Emergency Management Agency maintains an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). When the EOC is activated staffing is augmented by trained volunteer's. The purpose of an EOC activation is to provide support for a local emergency response to a significant natural or technological emergency.

The Volunteer EOC Staff positions are:

• Group Chief - directly oversees EOC staff activities and maintains message flow.
• Public Information Officer - maintains the public information program, including the preparation of press releases and news bulletins, also monitors rumor control messages.
• Agriculture - advises on agriculture matters and food control measures.
• Clerk - is the EOC receptionist and provides secretarial services.
• Communications - coordinates the activities of the 911 center, EMA and RACES radio operators.
• Fire, Rescue & Haz Mat - provides support for fire suppression, route alerting, rescue and hazardous materials response.
• Health & Medical - coordinates a medical response with local ambulance services. Maintains an updated, bed census with local hospitals.
• Law Enforcement - provides EOC security, assists with traffic control, maintains a list of road closures, and coordinates a National Guard response.
• Mass Care - assists the Red Cross in establishing and maintaining mass care centers for evacuated persons.
• Public Works - coordinates the response of utility companies and municipal public works departments.
• Radiological - Advises on radiological matters in the EOC or at an emergency scene. Is the point of contact with the State Radiological Officer. Mobilizes the county radiological response team during a nuclear power plant emergency. Issues dosimetry and detection meters as required. Oversees the activation of the emergency worker monitoring and decontamination station.
• Resources Manager - identifies and coordinates the placement of material and personnel resources.
• Transportation - coordinates available transportation resources to support an evacuation.