The New APHIS

Emergency

Operations Center

The new Emergency Operations Center (AEOC) of

the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a

state–of–the–art facility that will significantly improve

APHIS’ capability to coordinate responses to animal

and plant health emergencies. The AEOC serves as

the national command and coordination center for

APHIS emergency programs disaster management.

The AEOC gives the National Incident Commander

direct access to incident sites through a variety of

technologically advanced communications procedures. Teams working in the AEOC, called the

National Response Management Team (NRMT), now

have a greatly enhanced ability to collect, analyze,

and disseminate information, enabling them to meet

any animal or plant health emergency with a

well–orchestrated and technologically advanced

emergency response. The NRMT can direct 

necessary resources and communicate with 

appropriate stakeholders by coordinating with other

Federal, State, and international organizations,

including the Department of Homeland Security.

AEOC Functions

The AEOC can be used in both routine and

emergency situations. When an emergency 

operation is not underway, the AEOC facilities will be

used to monitor and report on international and

domestic surveillance of pest pathogens and disease

conditions of concern and to conduct advanced 

training. During an emergency, the AEOC can 

support 40 or more personnel and operate 24 hours

a day, 7 days a week. The AEOC will be used

through all phases of an emergency, from initial 

situation assessment through response coordination

and support and then to wrap–up phases. The

AEOC features advanced technology that allows

AEOC team members to communicate with field 

personnel and USDA leadership. Communications

capabilities include video teleconferencing, advanced

computer interfaces, geographical information system

mapping, and a strong multimedia component.

Floor Plan

The spatial layout of the AEOC provides both

large gathering areas and private workspaces. The

Center for Intelligence Collection is a large, open

space that includes the projection area and 21 

emergency operation stations. The Leadership

Incident Coordination Center is used for assembling

and briefing key leadership. Another room is dedicated to receiving and storing classified information. A

briefing room, with seating for 25 to 30 people, can

be used to assemble stakeholder groups. It can also

serve as a training classroom. There are also 

conference rooms and a number of individual offices.

Emergency Response Enhancement

AEOC team members are trained in incident

command system procedures of emergency 

management and now have an enhanced ability to

keep leadership informed of the status of 

emergencies. Having this world–class facility to 

coordinate and support emergency response helps

APHIS to provide leadership during national 

emergencies and greatly enhances our ability to work

with partners.

Additional Information

For further information, you may contact the

AEOC at (800) 601-9327 or (301) 436-3101. You

may send e-mail to emoc@usda.gov.

Factsheet

Veterinary Services March 2003

APHIS

Fast Facts 

The AEOC project started in September 1999.

Facility Characteristics

The Size of the AEOC is 8,800 square feet.

The AEOC is supported by a 400 kilowatt 

generator as an emergency power source.

The AEOC features four 65–inch rear projection 

screens, 40 high resolution computers, and 

global positioning system time–zone clock 

displays.

Cost Data

The AEOC was designed at a cost of $87,321.

Construction cost was $587,626. The advanced

electronics systems cost $2.6 million.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture