CMOC – SETRAC

What is the CMOC?

The Catastrophic Medical Operations Center (CMOC) is a collaboration of healthcare, special needs, EMS transportation, and public health specialists working together under a NIMS compliant structure within the Unified Area Command to address ESF 8 services of a multi-geographical region.

The CMOC is the operational arm of the Regional Healthcare Preparedness Coalition and serves 25 counties, 277 cities, and a population of over 9.3 million Texas residents. The CMOC region includes over 180 hospitals and more than 900 nursing homes.

How do I activate it?

It can be activated 24/7 by calling the Harris County Office of Homeland Security at 713-426-9508 and requesting “activation of the CMOC”

Who can activate it?

CMOC must be activated by an authorized governmental entity. If your facility needs to activate the CMOC, you can call 713-426-9508 to request activation. The CMOC will coordinate with your local Office of Emergency Management to ensure proper activation and support.

Levels of Activation

Level 1 – Full Activation (Maximum Readiness)

During an actual occurrence, the RHPC will implement actions to accomplish task assignments in accordance with applicable operational procedures. At this time, notification will be issued to the healthcare facilities throughout the region that CMOC is operational. If the scope of the emergency expands to the point that facilities within the region have exhausted or are depleting internal response assets, the CMOC will assist with coordination of requests with the following agencies: local fire, police, EMS, city and/or county emergency management offices, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Disaster District Committee, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or the applicable agency.

Level 3 – Liaison (Increased Readiness)

When a disaster or catastrophic public health emergency is foreseen, such as the approach of a major hurricane or a large outbreak of a contagious or infectious disease in a nearby city or county, activities will focus on warning people who will be potentially affected. The RHPC will encourage facilities to emphasize “neighbors helping neighbors” efforts. Appropriate mitigation and preparedness actions, including the call-up of the CMOC, may occur during this level.

Level 2 – Partial Activation (High Readiness)

When an emergency is imminent, all applicable protective action plans and procedures will be activated. This includes opening the CMOC as requested and implementing notification to healthcare facilities through the region. A process is in place for reporting ongoing events and assessing current factors and resources.

Level 4 – Readiness (Normal Conditions)

During normal conditions, primary emphasis will focus on awareness, readiness (i.e., planning, information, training, and exercising), and education. In addition, staff should complete training that is germane to applicable response activities. The facilities should conduct at least one annual exercise that includes testing disaster response with regional, city, and/or county agencies.

How does it align with the local, regional, and state plans?

While the CMOC is housed inside the Harris County Office of Homeland Security, Transtar 6922 Katy Road, Houston TX 77024, it is a resource for the entire Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) region, as well as any other region within Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) H, R and Q that has been designated by the Texas Department of State Health Services as Division 1.