Emergency Response Plan

Purpose

The Global Health College Emergency Response Plan (ERP) provides direction in the event of an emergency.  It is the goal and purpose of this plan to protect the safety and security of Global Health College student, faculty and staff. 

To ensure effective implementation of this plan, all personnel designated to carry out specific responsibilities are expected to know and understand the policies and procedures outlined in this document and other associated supporting documents. 

The college’s response to a major crisis will be conducted within the framework of this plan except when directed otherwise by the President or the President’s appointed representative.  The plan includes a chain of command that establishes decision making authority during an emergency. 

Scope and Definition

An emergency is defined as a sudden state of danger that occurs unexpectedly and that demands immediate action to protect the health and safety of individuals within the institution.  The following examples of emergency situations.

• Bomb threat
• Earthquake
• Explosion
• Fire
• Hazardous materials spill/release
• Hostage situation
• Campus shooting
• Terrorist incident

Crisis Management Response Structure

In the event of an emergency, the VP of Administrative & Fiscal Services (VPAFS) will contact the Executive Team, consisting of the President and Directors, to report to the emergency.

The Executive Team will convene(via conference call if necessary)  and decide whether to declare a state of emergency, start the process of notifying community and media if necessary, and review and discharge responsibilities as detailed in the plan (below).  The President or VPAFS will convene the Emergency Response Team (ERT) to participate in the execution of the Emergency plan.

Emergency Response Team Responsibilities

The manner in which college personnel and equipment are utilized during an emergency will be determined by the ERT under the direction of the VPAFS or the College President.  The ERP will remain in effect until the College President deems the college ready to return to normal operation.

Emergency Level Definitions and Responses

In all types of emergencies, once outside agencies arrive on the scene (police department, fire department, etc.) these agencies will assume control of the operations.  The Global Health College ERT will serve as a resource to the responders.

The following definitions of emergency levels determine the type of response:

Level 1 Emergency

Characteristics

• may involve threat of incident rather than actual incident
• may be addressed with college personnel and resources
• outside assistance may be called upon
• may be limited to small area of campus
• potential impact on health, safety, and property
• may interrupt classes and college operations for limited time

Examples

• unplanned power outage
• approaching blizzard, tornado, or other event
• water pipe break
• unidentified odor
• injured, missing, or deceased individual

Response Profile

VPAFS and/or College President notifies Executive Team
Executive Team and College President decide whether or not to activate ERT
Assess extent of incident impact on health, safety, property
Decide whether evacuation is required; initiate as needed
Account for students, personnel and visitors involved in incident
Decide on continuity of classes and college operations: notify community
Determine incident follow-up plan

Level 2 Emergency

Characteristics

• requires outside assistance, primarily from local services
• may involve large portions of campus
• potential loss of life
• will interrupt classes and college operations for more than half a day

Examples

• ice storm, blizzard, or other weather event
• bomb threat
• hazardous material spill/release
• violence or civil disturbance

Response Profile

• President notifies Executive Team
• Decide whether evacuation is required: initiates if needed
• Notification to Global Health College; send messages: update website
• Account for all students, personnel and visitors
• If no evacuation needed, ensure adequate food, water, heat, medical supplies, waste disposal, etc for campus
• Decide on continuity of classes and college operations; notify community
• Determine incident follow-up plan

Level 3 Emergency

(most serious)

Characteristics

• Requires outside assistance from local, possibly state and federal service
• Involves campus
• Potential loss of life
• Severe impact on health, safety, or property
• Classes and college operations suspended for an extended period
• Long-term effects on the college

Examples

• Shooting
• Uncontained fire
• Tornado impact, other severe weather event
• Terrorist incident
• Pandemic outbreak

Response Profile

• Contact emergency responders and assist them as needed
• Assess extent of incident impact on life, health, safety, property
• Decide whether evacuation is required; initiate if needed
• Decide whether medical or other outside assistance is required; contact as needed
• Activate emergency communication processes as needed
• Account for all students, personnel, and visitors
• If no evacuation needed, ensure adequate water, heat, medical supplies, waste disposal, etc for campus
• Decide on resumption of classes and college operations, notify community
• Establish communication channels with relatives, government agencies, the public
• Update community on progress and final resolution of incident
• Determine Incident follow-up plan

Emergency Telephone Numbers

There are a number of additional resources that are available regarding crisis response.  These include the following :

Red Cross
www.redcross.org

The Office of Homeland Security
www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/

 A Guide to Citizen Preparedness: Are you ready?
www.disasterassistance.gov