Emergency Preparedness and Planning

Emergency Management is responsible for campus level emergency planning, response coordination and recovery, including developing and maintaining the campus Emergency Operations Plan. The Director also provides internal consultation to campus divisions and units on the development of their own specific emergency and business continuity plans. This approach looks at the entire life cycle of the emergency, from the period before the emergency occurs (sometimes years in advance) through the event and into the post-emergency recovery phase.

The Barn Theater at UC Santa Cruz.

Emergency Planning Links


A graphic reading preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation.

Four Phases of Emergency Management

Mitigation – eliminating or minimizing hazards that may result in a major emergency

Preparedness – preparing to deal with hazards that cannot be controlled

Response – responding to emergency situations that do occur

Recovery – returning to a level of normalcy after an emergency has occurred


Campus Emergency Operations Center

The Emergency Operations Center, a room with tables and a projector.

OEM is responsible for maintaining the campus Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for use during major events and emergency situations. The EOC is staffed by representatives from various campus units with responsibilities relating to emergency response or recovery. During a major event or emergency, the EOC is activated to coordinate campus operations and recovery efforts.

During a regional disaster, the campus EOC communicates with the Santa Cruz County EOC for resource needs outside of the capabilities of the campus. The campus EOC also provides updates to the UC Office of the President and their EOC and may coordinate inter-campus mutual aid with other UC campuses around the state.

The Director of Emergency Management leads the campus Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during major emergencies and planned events, and also serves as the primary campus liaison to the Santa Cruz County Office of Emergency Services, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), and other local, state, and federal emergency planning groups.

EOC Director

The EOC Director is responsible for managing the EOC and serves as the link between field incident commanders and the Emergency Policy Group. The EOC Director is typically the Director of Emergency Management.

EOC Coordinator

The EOC Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the EOC is operational and serves as the internal expert on the emergency management process. The EOC Coordinator is typically the Deputy Emergency Manager.

Public Information Officer (PIO)

The PIO is responsible for coordinating communications with both the campus community and the larger community. The PIO is the campus spokesperson from University Relations.

Operations Section

The Operations Section consists of campus units with operational response duties. This includes the Police Department, the Fire Department, Physical Plant, Environmental Health & Safety, Student Services, Transportation and Parking Services, Information Technology Services and Human Resources.

Planning Section

The Planning Section is responsible developing response and recovery plans in conjunction with EOC Management and Operations. Planning is also responsible for for tracking the situation and resource status relating to the emergency or event.

Logistics Section

The Logistics Section is responsible for providing necessary support to campus operations through the procurement of resources such as personnel, supplies and equipment. Logistics also supports campus responder needs such as food, shelter, transportation and communications.

Finance/Administration Section

The Finance/Administration Section is responsible for tracking expenses and other documentation related to the emergency or event. This documentation is necessary to receive state and federal assistance during declared disasters, as well as for internal campus financial record-keeping.

Training Resource:

IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions Training

The Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions course is designed to introduce the role, design, and function of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the supportive relationship as a National Incident Management System (NIMS) Command and Coordination component of the Multi-agency Coordination System.

Last modified: Oct 11, 2024