Emergency preparedness and response involves many areas of SCDES. There are diverse, complex functions that must be coordinated in order to respond rapidly and successfully to an act of bioterrorism, a serious epidemic, a hurricane or other incident. Emergency management and response functions are integrated into each program and into each employee's job duties. These functions must be coordinated with the other state agencies and organizations involved in emergency preparedness and operations. This is done largely through joint planning and exercises carried out under the State Emergency Operations Plan.