ETM 460

# Incident Management Systems and Emergency Operations Center

**Course Syllabus**

**Dr. Danny Peterson**

Department of Information and Management Technology

School of Technology and Applied Sciences

![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.4027777777777777in"
height="0.8881944444444444in"}

Arizona State University-East

6001 South Power Road

Mesa, AZ 85206

xxxxxxx

**Incident Management Systems and Emergency Operation Centers**

**ETM 460**

3 semester hours credit

**Course Prerequisites:** ETM 360 (or instructor approval)

**Course Description and Objectives:**

Depending upon severity of an emergency, a small Incident Management
System may be activated, or for more severe contingencies, an Emergency
Operations Center as well. Most emergency response scenarios are built
around an IMS which requires standardization of terminology and actions.
This course provides the student with an in-depth knowledge the IMS,
terminology, players, and management philosophy. EOC setup, activation,
operation, and termination are covered as well as staffing, training,
and briefings. Many times, an EOC operates for extended periods with
attendant human factor problems; these problems and solutions will be
explored. Finally, EOC funding and politics will be addressed.

**Instructor Information:**

Dr. Danny Peterson

Office: CLRB (Hazmat Lab).

Phone: 727-1825 (FAX: 727-1684)

email: DrP@asu.edu

**Text:**

Federal Emergency Management Agency‑Emergency Management Institute.
(1995). [EOC's Management and Operations‑Student manual]{.underline}.
Emmitsburg, MD: FEMA.

Other applicable FEMA publications on EOC and ICS operations.

**Course Evaluation:**

Attendance/participation 10%

Assignments/projects 15%

Examinations 30%

Term Paper 15%

Final Exam [30%]{.underline}

Total Grade 100%

**Course Requirements:**

***Readings/projects**:* Students are required to complete the necessary
reading assignments prior to the session as reflected in the schedule
and are encouraged to bring resource materials to class. Assignments
will be made in class and will not be accepted late. Assignments will be
both individual and group work.

***Attendance:*** Class attendance is strongly encouraged. Any unexcused
absence(s) will be reflected in the reduction of overall grade.
University policy will be strictly adhered to regarding absenteeism.

***Term Paper:*** Each student will be expected to complete a five page
term paper. Topics must be approved by the instructor. Students must use
an approved form and style manual such as APA (Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association).

***Assignments*** will be made in class and will not be accepted late.
Assignments will be both individual and group work, and will include
presentations. Field trips will be required. These include visits to
various emergency dispatch centers, State and County EOCs.

This ***syllabus may be modified*** at the instructor's discretion as
necessary to meet the needs of the course.

***Exams:*** All exams will be given during lecture times, and will
generally be multiple choice questions. Exam dates are indicated on the
course outline. No make-up exams will be given. If an exam is missed,
all of the other exam scores will be averaged and that average used in
lieu of the missed exam. Additionally missed exams will receive a score
of zero.

### Course Outline

## Week Date Topic Assignment 

1.  Course overview and introduction to command

structure.

2.  Case studies: successful and unsuccessful structures

> and management.

3 Incident Management System; the role of leadership.

4 Players in the IMS.

Exam #1

5 Mutual aid agreements and jurisdictional disputes.

6.  Emergency Operation Centers and their role in

> IMS; EOC and command post interface.

**Course Outline (continued)**

7.  EOC location, design, layout; Secondary considerations.

> Exam #2

8.  EOC management: organizing, staffing, coordination,

> communication.

9 EOC operations: Developing and using SOPs, briefings,

and financial support.

10 Exercising and evaluating EOC and SOPs

11 Field Trip: Chandler and Mesa dispatch centers

12 Seamless interface among IMS players

> Exam #3

13 Politics of incident management.

14 Psychological and social considerations of EOC operations.

15 Field trip: State EOC, Maricopa County EOC.

16 Final Examination, Comprehensive

**Approval of Syllabus:**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

Course Instructor Signature Date

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Department Chair Signature Date