The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a centralized location to support multi-agency and/or multi-jurisdiction disaster response coordination and communication. Unique to the State of California is the definition of an Operational Area, which includes all political subdivisions within the County boundary. On behalf of the Kern Operational Area, the Kern County EOC will serve as the designated point of contact between the jurisdictions within the County, as well as between the State and the Operational Area.

EOC ROOM

During an emergency, staff in the EOC will facilitate effective emergency management. The EOC supports multi-agency and multi-jurisdiction coordination and communication.

EOC functions are broken into the following sections:

EOC CONFERENCE ROOM

When the EOC is activated during an emergency, the EOC Director, Section Chiefs, and Management staff use the Conference Room to receive regular briefings, establish emergency management priorities, review current objectives, plan future objectives, and formulate the EOC Action Plan. The equipment in this room allows staff to review information from the field, monitor EOC activities, and teleconference with staff within the Operational Area and at the State.

EOC CLASSROOMS/JIC/MEDIA ROOM

When the EOC is activated during an emergency, the Joint Information Center (JIC) is established to coordinate, develop, and disseminate emergency-related public information. The JIC is the central point of contact for all news media. Public information officials from all participating agencies/jurisdictions are collocated at the JIC. The news media receives regular briefings about the emergency in the Media Room adjacent to the JIC.

When the EOC is not activated, the JIC/Media Room is used for emergency management-related meetings and training. The room may be configured into one large classroom or two separate, smaller classrooms.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS AN EOC?
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a centralized location to support multi-agency and/or multi-jurisdiction disaster response coordination and communication. Unique to the State of California is the definition of an Operational Area, which includes all political subdivisions within the County boundary. On behalf of the Kern Operational Area, the Kern County EOC will serve as the designated point of contact between the jurisdictions within the County, as well as between the State and the Operational Area.

WHERE IS THE EOC LOCATED?
The EOC is near Bakersfield College in northeast Bakersfield at 2601 Panorama Drive, Building B, Bakersfield, CA 93306.

HOW LARGE IS THE EOC?
The enclosed building of the EOC measures 6,965 square feet.

HOW MUCH DID THE KERN COUNTY EOC COST TO BUILD?
The cost of the EOC was approximately $3.4 million. These costs include construction, audio-visual/voice data equipment, and furniture. An additional $485,000 of grant funding was obtained and utilized to assist in the building of the new EOC.

HOW LONG DID THE EOC TAKE TO BUILD
Fourteen months.

WHAT IF WE HAVE A POWER OUTAGE IN THE KERN COUNTY AREA?
The EOC has an emergency generator as well as a 2,000-gallon fuel tank which will keep the entire facility fully operational for up to seven days without refueling.

DOES KERN COUNTY HAVE A DISASTER PLAN?
Yes. The County is required by State and Federal regulation to have a response and recovery plan. This plan covers everything from earthquakes and plane crashes to fires and flooding. This plan is maintained by the Emergency Manager and is continuously updated. A major update of the plan is done every five years. Click here to view the Kern County/Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan.

WHAT TYPES OF DISASTERS OCCUR IN THE KERN COUNTY AREA?
Areas within the County of Kern are vulnerable to fires, earthquakes, and floods. Situations such as civil unrest, terrorism, plane crashes, and energy shortages may also be reasons to activate the EOC.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK IN THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES? WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DO THEY RECEIVE?
The EOC has four full-time paid staff. The EOC Manager receives extensive training through State and Federal classes. The EOC manager is required to maintain certification for the position and must attend disaster-related classes throughout the year.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERE IS NO EMERGENCY?
EOC staff is responsible for maintaining the readiness of the County for all emergencies. Plans, presentations, and training are done on a continuous basis. The EOC plans regular multi-agency emergency management exercises for the fire, law enforcement, and other County staff.

HOW WILL INFORMATION BE DISSEMINATED OUT OF THE EOC TO THE PUBLIC?
The Kern County Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services have formed a media task force to ensure an open line of communication in the event of a major emergency. Representatives from the Kern County Broadcasters Association, KGET-TV, and KUZZ Radio have come together to advise us of the needed technical equipment at the EOC.

WHERE CAN I OBTAIN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO KERN COUNTY?
In partnership with local businesses, the Kern County Office of Emergency Services has developed a Disaster Preparedness Guide that is available at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, PG&E, San Joaquin Hospital, the Kern County Department of Public Health, or at any Kern County Fire Station, and online at kcprepared.com.