Frequently Asked Questions

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THE CMOC IN A DISASTER RESPONSE.

If you are on-call for the CMOC, you should have a go-kit prepared for a no-notice response.
This kit should include both personal items and supplies for you for at least 72 hours of onsite response away from your home or office. See the list at the end of the document for more details.

Food and beverages

For long-term activations, meals will be collectively organized for all EOC/CMOC staff by the Harris County Office of Emergency Management – Logistics Section (Food Unit). The Food Unit works to provide meals and snacks to meet a variety of needs, but if you have special dietary considerations, it is best to pack accordingly in your go-kit to meet those needs. You may bring personal drinks and snacks. If there is not a long-term activation or a CMOC-only activation, it is possible that you may need to provide your own food.

Personal items

Working at the CMOC is a lot like camping. There are cots and showers available at the facility for sleeping and washing. No personal care items are provided. You are responsible for bringing your own personal care items.

Clothing for 3 days (Comfort is key. Most people wear a polo shirt and jeans.)
Shower supplies and toiletries (soap, wash cloth, towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, shower shoes, etc.)
Bedding (linen, sleeping bags, pillow, etc)
Other items (medications, hairbrush, deodorant, earplugs etc.)

Supplies

At each CMOC station, there is a computer with two monitors and access to printers. You will have access to some basic office systems and supplies (printers, printer paper, fax, phone, staplers, writing tablets, pens). If you require other office supplies, please bring them with you.

Please bring any personal electronic devices, laptops, or other files you anticipate you may need. Such items include: laptop, cell phone, chargers for electronic devices, etc.

This kit should include:

Blanket or sleeping bag
Pillow
Personal/toiletry needs

Soap
Washcloth
Towel
Shampoo
Razor
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Medications
Brush or comb
Shower shoes
Other (e.g., feminine napkins, contact case/solution, glasses)

Clothing

Undergarments for 3 days
Shirts (comfortable, but professional) for three days
Pants (comfortable, but professional) for three days
Comfortable shoes and socks

Supplies

Cell phone & charger
Pagers (if issued)
Laptop (if you have information you need on that device)

Other

Passwords (make sure you have access to all your passwords)
Food/snacks, if you have special dietary requirements

What not to bring:

Family
Pets
Alcohol
Firearms
Entertainment devices

The CMOC is housed at the Harris County Office of Homeland Security, Transtar 6922 Katy Road, Houston TX 77024. If CMOC needs to activate at an alternate location, this will be communicated to you in your notification alert.

Enter thru the main door and at the window, give your name to staff present and tell them you are there to support CMOC. You will be asked to provide a valid ID and will be given instructions on how to reach the EOC. If you are not on the list, please call 713-426-9508. This number will be answered by CMOC.

The best place to park at Transtar will be in the back parking lot, you will need to walk back to the front to sign in and receive a badge.

After stepping out of the elevator, there will be a desk for a second sign-in, this is where you will receive your EOC badge for your shift. After each shift, you will need to sign out and return your badge. Once in the EOC, please report to the Clinical Deputy for your assignment. EMS/Transport, Deputy, F&A, or Clinical please report to the CMOC Operations Chief for more instructions on your assignment. If you are supporting a Corridor, Public Health, or Special Needs, please report to the Clinical Director for more instructions on your assignment.

Position binders for each CMOC seat are available at the onset of activation, the binders are placed at your workstation for easy review. If you have difficulty finding your binder, please contact the Clinical Director.

For anyone working in the EOC at Harris County Office of Emergency Management, at a minimum, must have completed IS 100, 200, 700 and 800. The RHPC has adopted this requirement as well. Those individuals serving in a leadership role (ie: Ops Chief, EMS/Transport, Logistics) should have completed IS 300 and 400 as well.

You should also have completed training and received password access in WebEOC, EmResouce/EmTrack and have basic understanding of computer skills.

It is highly recommended that you also have taken the CMOC Operations 101 course.