Emergency Operations

Osceola County has adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the method by which to control and organize any and all incidents, emergencies and disasters. In 2003, Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5 mandated the use of the NIMS and its corresponding six core components.

As a result of NIMS, Osceola County has revised many required plans as well as operational methods. Typically, emergency operations centers are organized by emergency support functions (ESF) with a coordinating agency responsible for reporting activity within the ESF. With twenty ESF’s in Osceola County, span of control is exceeded significantly. To effectively manage these coordinating functions, Osceola County has integrated the Incident Command System (ICS) to maximize the benefits of an effective management tool.

The use of the ICS within the EOC coupled with a multijurisdictional/agency Executive Policy Group, Osceola can manage any incident with clear direction, excellent, effective planning all while minimizing duplication of efforts. For a complete review of Osceola County’s EOC Operational Guidelines, please refer to the CEMP Appendix A.