The Command Center: A Brief History

A command center is a central place for carrying out orders and for supervising tasks, also known as a headquarters, or HQ.

Common to every command center is three general activities: inputs, processes and outputs. The inbound aspect is communications (usually intelligence and other field reports). Inbound elements are "sitreps" (situation reports of what is happening) and "progreps" (progress reports relative to a goal which has been set) from the field back to the command element.

The process aspect involves a command element that makes decisions about what should be done about the input data. In the US military the command consists of a field- (Major to Colonel) or flag- (General) grade commissioned officer with one or more advisers. The outbound communications then delivers command decisions (i.e. operating orders) to the field elements. Command centers should not be confused with the high-level military formation of a Command. However, Commands may be controlled from a command center.

A Command and Control Center is a specialized type of command center operated by a government or municipal agency 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Various branches of the U.S Military such as the U.S Coast Guard and Navy have command and control centers. They are also common in many large correctional facilities. A Command and Control Center operates as the agencies dispatch center, surveillance monitoring center, coordination office and alarm monitoring center all in one. Command and control centers are not staffed by high level officials but rather by highly skilled technical staff. When a serious incident occurs the staff will notify the agencies higher level officials. (Courtesy: Wikipedia)