Coordination with the City and County EOCs

Los Angeles City is designated as an Operational Area by OES. This means that they, rather than the County, manage their own response to a disaster. They can talk directly with the State to obtain support. The County provides mutual aid as requested and responds to disasters within its jurisdiction which is separate from the city's. It should be noted, however, that because Los Angeles City does not have a health department, hospitals fall under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. This made County coordination easier. Also, frequent discussions were held between LA DHS EOC and the Chief Paramedic for Los Angeles City Fire Department. An LAEMSA staff member went to the County EOC to provide coordination with other County departments. Except for the City of Los Angeles, all the cities in the County report their status by way of the County Sheriff. This would be the place where critical information about the EMS field response is reported. It appears that the LAEMSA liaison passed important information and requests but did not become directly involved in planning or setting County priorities for the field portions of the medical response. This was done through fire service mutual aid. Intelligence about the expected direction and progress of the disaster was not available from the City EOC.

Medical Care for the Injured

Continue to Mutual Aid

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