Emergency Operations Center

Standard Operating Procedures

These Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) form a core component of the SBCSS Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan. The EOC operates in accordance with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). These procedures establish the framework, roles, and responsibilities necessary to ensure coordinated, efficient, and effective emergency response and recovery operations.

Functional Description

The EOC serves as the centralized hub for strategic direction, coordination, and information management during an emergency. It provides a single point of authority and situational awareness, enabling real-time, face-to-face coordination among departments, agencies, and partners responsible for incident support.

The major functions of the SBCSS EOC include:

1. Warning, Alerts, and Notifications

• Receive, verify, and disseminate emergency warnings and alerts to all SBCSS schools, programs, and sites.

• Ensure timely communication to leadership, staff, and partner agencies.

2. Multi-Agency Coordination

• Facilitate coordination between SBCSS, local jurisdictions, county departments, community partners, and state and federal agencies.

• Support unified response efforts by aligning priorities and sharing resources.

3. Policy-Level Decision Support

• Develop and recommend emergency procedures to SBCSS leadership.

• Provide information and guidance to the Superintendent and Board of Education regarding emergency declarations, closures, and operational decisions.

4. Situational Awareness & Information Management

• Collect, analyze, and distribute critical intelligence from field sites, partner agencies, and the community.

• Ensure accurate, timely updates are provided to all EOC sections, leadership, and communications personnel.

• Maintain and update maps, status boards, incident logs, and visual displays relevant to ongoing operations.

5. Resource Prioritization & Allocation

• Evaluate needs reported from school sites and incident locations.

• Prioritize requests and allocate resources based on life safety, property protection, and continuity of operations.

• Ensure procurement, staging, tracking, and distribution follow established policies.

6. Operational & Logistical Support

• Coordinate and support the activation, deployment, and sustained operation of SBCSS personnel and resources assigned to emergency duties.

• Provide logistical support to field responders, including equipment, supplies, facilities, and transportation.

7. Incident Support & Resource Delivery

• Identify required resources and coordinate delivery to the Incident Commander at the affected site.

• Maintain communication and support to ensure field operations have what they need to manage the incident safely and effectively.