Since opening in 2012, the NOAA Disaster Response Center (DRC) has been striving to become a central hub for coordination and training of emergency responders throughout the Gulf of Mexico. Although the DRC plays a role in all phases of emergency management, preparedness is a primary focus. The DRC has several core business functions:

• Serving as a Gulf Coast hub for NOAA emergency preparedness, response, and recovery operations.
• Improving communications between the five Gulf Coast states and local and federal response agencies.
• Enhancing decision support tools, exercises, and trainings for NOAA personnel and key partners.

Training and simulations help prepare responders to manage real-life incidents effectively. The DRC works closely with local, state, and federal partners to prepare for all-hazard events. A few examples of the trainings hosted at the DRC emphasize this focus on preparedness activities:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Training for Volunteers.
• HURRIPLAN for Hurricane Resilient Community Planning and Building Design.
• HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response).
• ICS 300: Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) for Expanding Incidents.

Questions: Contact us with your questions, comments, or to book an event at the DRC.