Boston Marathon Bombings Prompt City to Set Up Emergency Operations Center

In response to the explosions at the Boston Marathon Monday, Manhattan Beach city officials activated level 1 of its Emergency Operations Center, said David Carmany, city manager.

"At the moment we opened, we just didn't know what was going to happen," he said. "Initially, it's always the unknown for all of us."

The EOC, which was set up in the Police/Fire conference room, was never staffed and was closed at 4 p.m.

The city did not made any tactical changes to police and firefighter staffing, he said.

The city has a disaster plan that goes through a progression. When the city staffs the EOC, each of the city's departments have a role, Carmany said. An example, he said, could be Parks and Recreation staff helping to arrange for shelter.

When in use, as the disaster plan progresses, "each department has a more precise and amplified role in helping in a disaster," he said.