EOC-NET

Module 2A
Planning guidance

Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Network (EOC-NET)

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 1
 Learning objectives EOC-NET

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• list the essential steps for planning a PHEOC;
• describe the legal authorities required for setting
up a PHEOC;
• describe the role and membership of the policy
group and steering committee;
• describe risk and capacity assessment;
• explain the different levels of the response; and
• describe the PHEOC objectives.

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 2
 The essential steps for developing the PHEOC EOC-NET

A well-designed plan is a prerequisite for the development of a PHEOC.

Developing the PHEOC is a process that evolves over time.
The essential steps for this process are:
• establishing legal authority and planning guidance;
• forming a policy group and a steering committee, which will:
o develop main objectives of the PHEOC and
o define the essential functions and operational structure of the PHEOC;
• developing the core components of the PHEOC;
• developing training and exercises for response staff;
• establishing monitoring and evaluation; and
• setting up mechanisms for costing, funding and sustaining a PHEOC.

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 3
 Legal authority EOC-NET

Legal authority provided by legislation or a government entity is

required to give organizations the mandate to respond to
emergencies. This will give organizations the necessary authority
to oversee the response, coordinate with other agencies and obtain
funding for the response. As such, the legal authority should:
• outline the roles and responsibilities
v of the responding
agencies;
• describe the coordination mechanism that will help them work
together; and
• describe the funding mechanisms for the PHEOC.

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 4
 Policy group and steering committee EOC-NET

To start the planning for the PHEOC, the lead agency should establish a
policy group and steering committee to guide the planning and implementation.

WHO/E. Kabambi WHO/C. Black

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 5
 Policy group composition EOC-NET

The policy group will be made up of:

WHO/E. Kabambi

• Heads of involved organizations

• Subject matter experts
• Government officials
v

• Legal and ethical advisors

• Executive officers
• Strategic level professionals

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 6
 The role of the policy group EOC-NET

• Provide high-level advice on the overall

emergency management
• Facilitate collaboration within and between
ministries and agencies
• Endorse requests for resources and assistance
• Delegate authority as required to the PHEOC
WHO/E. Kabambi

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 7
 Steering committee composition EOC-NET

The steering committee will consist of staff from key

stakeholders and users, for example:

WHO/C. Black

• Emergency managers and team leads from:

o Information team
o Surveillance v
o Logistics
o Finance
o Human resources

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 8
 The role of the steering committee EOC-NET

• Conduct risk and capacity assessments

• Lead on decisions about the broader emergency
management model, including:
o deciding the size, scope and type of the PHEOC;
o developing PHEOC principle objectives;
o defining the essential functions and operational
structure;
o defining how core processes will be managed;
WHO/C. Black
o ensuring core components are in place;
o developing a monitoring and evaluation plan; and
o developing a costing and budgeting plan.

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 9
 Risk and capacity assessment EOC-NET

Establishing the purpose, objectives and planning

processes of the PHEOC should be driven by a risk
assessment of the hazards and threats to which the
PHEOC may be required to respond, and an assessment
of the response capacity which already exists.

This type of analysis might already be available in:

• A national risk assessment
WHO/J. Jalali
• Evaluation of IHR capabilities
• Joint External Evaluation (JEE)
• Global health security assessments

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 10
 Objectives of the PHEOC EOC-NET

The objectives of the PHEOC must fit its

purpose and the type of threats to which
it will be used to respond. The objectives
can include:
• providing timely, event-specific
operational decision-making using
the best information available;
• communicating and coordinating
with response partners;
• collection, collation, analysis,
presentation and utilisation of event WHO/P. Phutpheng

data and information;

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 11
 Objectives of the PHEOC, cont. EOC-NET

• acquisition and deployment of resources

including surge capacity;
• preparation of public facing
communications and engagement; and
• monitoring the financial requirements and
administrative services for the response.

The steering committee will

WHO/P. Phutpheng
decide on the exact objectives.

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 12
 Handbook Part A EOC-NET

Handbook Part A provides practical guidance

for public health authorities and PHEOC
planners and staff on the general policies,
planning processes, outcomes and
operational procedures necessary to support
a viable PHEOC.
Handbook Part A:
https://www.who.int/ihr/publications/9789241509398/en/

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 13
 Summary EOC-NET

• To establish a PHEOC, you will need legal authority

• Legal authority can be exercised through a policy group
which will set strategic objectives and a steering committee
to implement the PHEOC systems and infrastructure
• The objectives of the PHEOC must fit its purpose and the
type of threats
• Details on the policies, plans and procedures are available
in the Handbook Part A

OpenWHO.org ©WHO2020 14