During large-scale incidents and disasters, Emergency Medical Services plays a critical role beyond patient transport, yet many prehospital providers have limited visibility into how their profession functions within an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This session provides an EMS-focused overview of roles and responsibilities within the ESF-8 framework, highlighting how prehospital operations are represented and coordinated during emergency response. Drawing from real-world experience serving as both an EMS Liaison and a Regional EMS Designated Regional Coordinator within an EOC, this presentation explores how field-level conditions are translated into regional coordination, resource allocation, and operational decision-making. Topics include situational awareness, patient movement considerations, interagency communication, and the role of EMS leadership in bridging local operations with regional response strategies. This session aims to demystify EMS participation in the EOC and clarify how regional coordination supports both frontline providers and patient outcomes.

NYS CME - All Levels - Core - Operations