NewsFlash Daily™
08 May 
New integrated command centre connects police, hospitals, ambulances and disaster response services
Bengaluru: In a major step toward strengthening emergency preparedness and public safety infrastructure, the Karnataka government has officially launched the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) in Bengaluru, creating a centralised platform that will connect healthcare services, police departments, fire and emergency services, ambulance networks, disaster management authorities, and district administrations under one operational system.
The newly inaugurated command centre, launched at Arogya Soudha in Bengaluru, marks a significant development in the state’s emergency response architecture. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao inaugurated the facility and described it as a critical infrastructure project designed to improve coordination during public emergencies, disease outbreaks, accidents, fires, and natural disasters.
The centre is expected to function 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that citizens can receive multiple emergency services through a coordinated response mechanism instead of contacting separate departments individually.
What Makes HEOC a Major Public Safety Upgrade?
Officials said the Health Emergency Operations Centre has been established under the World Health Organisation guidelines and supported through the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, a flagship health infrastructure initiative of the Government of India.
The center has been designed with modern digital monitoring systems and real-time communication technology, allowing officials from multiple departments to remain connected at all times. During situations such as infectious disease outbreaks, fire accidents, industrial emergencies, floods, or other disaster scenarios, the command center can immediately coordinate with district administrations, hospitals, field officers, and emergency teams.
Officials say this integrated system will significantly reduce response time and improve decision-making during critical incidents.
Multiple Departments, One Emergency Platform
Unlike traditional emergency systems, where citizens often need to contact separate helplines for different services, the HEOC brings together:
- Health Department
- Police Department
- Fire and Emergency Services
- Ambulance Services
- Revenue Department
- Disaster Management Authorities
- District Health and Administrative Units
This integrated model is expected to strengthen field coordination and allow faster deployment of resources during emergencies across Karnataka.
Minister Highlights Lessons from COVID-19
Speaking at the inauguration, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in emergency management systems, making it necessary for the state to build a stronger and technology-driven coordination framework.
“During COVID, we understood that emergency management systems needed stronger coordination. If similar crises emerge in the future, Karnataka must be fully prepared. This centre connects departments, officials, and ambulance systems through advanced technology,” the minister said.
He further stated that emergency preparedness is now being discussed at global levels, and Karnataka has moved proactively to build infrastructure that meets international standards.
24x7 Monitoring to Support District-Level Crisis Response
Government officials confirmed that the HEOC will remain in constant communication with district administrations and district health centres. In case of any public health emergency, epidemic alert, fire incident, or disaster event, the system will allow real-time information sharing and immediate operational guidance.
The launch of this centralised emergency platform is expected to significantly improve Karnataka’s disaster readiness, healthcare response, and public safety operations, especially in densely populated urban centres and industrial regions.
