Presidential Emergency Operations Center

The Presidential Emergency Operations Center is a bunker-like structure underneath the East Wing of the White House that serves as a secure shelter and communications center for the President of the United States and other protectees in case of an emergency.

The first White House bunker was constructed during World War II to protect President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the event of an aerial attack on Washington. The modern PEOC space has modern communications equipment including televisions and phones to coordinate with outside government entities. During a breach of White House security, to include the Washington, D.C. Air Defense Identification Zone violations, the President and other protectees will be relocated to the executive briefing room, next to the PEOC. Day to day, the PEOC is manned around the clock by joint-service military officers and non-commissioned officers.

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