The Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, is the central command and control facility responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness and emergency management, or disaster management functions at a strategic level in an emergency situation, and ensuring the continuity of operation of the city.

During a disaster the EOC is responsible for the strategic overview, or "big picture", of the disaster, and does not normally directly control field assets, instead it functions as making operational decisions and leaving tactical decisions to lower commands. The common functions of the EOC is to collect, gather and analyze data; make decisions that protect life and property, maintain continuity of the organization, within the scope of applicable laws; and disseminate those decisions to all concerned departments, residents, and agencies.