Emergency Operations Center Operating Conditions (OPCON)

What is an OPCON level and what do they mean?

Charleston County Emergency Management Division (CCEMD) operates on a system of Operational Condition Levels, also known as OPCONS. This numerical scale is how CCEMD, coordinates with the State Emergency Response Team and surrounding counties to prepare and respond to major emergencies.

The levels are designed to identify the steps agencies take in order to fully activate emergency resources.

OPCON 1:Full Alert

  • A disaster or emergency is imminent or occurring.
  • The County Emergency Operations Center is fully activated.
  • All County emergency support function personnel are activated or ready to deploy.

OPCON 2:Enhanced Awareness

  • A disaster or emergency is likely to affect the County.
  • The County Emergency Operations Center is operating in one of the following levels of readiness: monitoring, partial activation or full activation as deemed necessary.
  • Emergency operations plans are implemented.

OPCON 3:Normal Daily Operations

  • Agencies coordinate, plan, train and exercise as warranted.
  • Incidents are monitored by the EMD Staff and Warning Point.