Morteza Ghaderi Azarkhavarani, Mohammadreza Khajeh Aminian, Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh, Mohammad Hosein Yarmohammadian, Seyed Masood Mousavi, Hassan Nouri Sari,
Volume 23, Issue 3 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background and purpose: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a centralized facility designed to coordinate disaster management activities across all phases of the disaster management cycle. EOCs play a vital role in facilitating efficient and effective responses by coordinating information and resources. This study aims to highlight the importance of establishing a standardized framework for EOCs in Iranian universities of medical sciences and to examine its key dimensions.
Methods: This study is a commentary article that compiles information from published literature on the framework of emergency operations centers. It focuses on two prominent global frameworks: the World Health Organization’s Public Health Emergency Operations Center Framework and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operations Center Guidelines. The study emphasizes the necessity of creating a standardized framework for emergency operations centers in Iranian universities of medical sciences.
Results: EOCs across different countries vary in terms of their missions, authorities, and resources. Consequently, the frameworks used in these centers are not uniform, and are largely shaped by the governance and regulatory requirements specific to each country.
Conclusion: A standardized framework, tailored to the specific needs and conditions of Iran, is essential for EOCs at universities of medical sciences. Such a framework could enhance the operational capabilities of these centers during incidents and disasters, improving their responsiveness and effectiveness.
