Operations Manual

4.2-4
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

Introduction

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) describes an emergency as "any unplanned event that can cause deaths or significant injuries to employees, customers or the public; or that can shut down your business, disrupt operations, cause physical or environmental damage, or threaten the facility's financial standing or public image." Obviously, numerous events can be "emergencies" and will be handled according to the following protocol. Emergencies specifically dealt with in this plan include the following:

The plan itself has three components. First is notification of the emergency. Second is the initial emergency response from key departments. And third is the need for a crisis management team.

Emergency Information

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) has produced a guide, The Safety Awareness Booklet, which provides instructions as to what to do and who to notify if an emergency occurs. Community members are encouraged to become familiar with campus emergency procedures. Contact University Police at ext. 4141 or by e-mail (lipinski@svsu.edu) to request a copy of the booklet.

Responding to an Emergency

Once an area on campus becomes aware of an emergency, it should assess the situation and respond accordingly. The following areas should develop plans for responding to any of the above listed emergencies:

Departments should develop emergency response plans which will be incorporated into the University Police website. Individual department plans should guide persons within their area as to how to respond to a reported emergency. Each plan will include the basics of how the department will handle an emergency, individual responsibilities (if appropriate), and details on who is to be notified. The department head (or designee) and/or the Director of University Police will be responsible for assessing the impact of an emergency. If, in their judgment, the emergency has significantly wide-ranging effects, they will notify the President (or Designee) of their findings and possibly recommend assembling a crisis management team.

Crisis Management Team

The crisis management team will be assembled should the President (or designee) find that a situation has potential wide-range or long-lasting effects. The team will consist of some or all of the following individuals:

The following management process for crisis situations will be followed:

  1. The President (or designee) must be informed immediately when an incident is reported.
  2. The President will contact members of the crisis management team and set up a meeting. The team must be ready to act quickly.
  3. Team meeting. The team will review all known information provided by the Chief of University Police or any individual with direct information. If the team cannot meet, a teleconference call will be used.
  4. The team will decide on a course of action, proper response, public statements and other appropriate activities.
  5. Investigation. A single office will be designated to investigate the situation, and all staff members will work through that office. (Note: The office designated to investigate the situation will maintain documentation describing the actions taken.)
  6. Media contact. All media contact and external inquires will be handled by the person or office designated by the President. Refer all inquires to that office or person.
  7. Communication. As events develop or change, the team will communicate clearly before taking further action or issuing additional statements.

Disaster Recovery Plan Council

The Disaster Recovery Plan Council will consist of the following members:

The Council will assemble following each crisis to evaluate how the emergency was handled. The Council will make recommendations to better respond to similar emergencies in the future. The Council will assemble at least once per year to review the overall University response plan, individual department plans, and to evaluate training and emergency notification literature. The President will appoint the Chair of the Council.

Bomb Threat

BOMB THREAT CHECK LIST

QUESTIONS TO ASK: (Try to report the exact wording of the threat)

1. When is the bomb going to explode?

2. Where is it right now?

3. What does it look like?

4. What kind of bomb is it?

5. What will cause it to explode?

6. Did you place the bomb?

7. Why?

8. What is your address?

9. What is your name?

Sex of caller: M F Age: Race: Length of call:

CALLER'S VOICE:

□ Calm □ Laughing □ Lisp □ Disguised
□ Angry □ Crying □ Raspy □ Accent
□ Excited □ Normal □ Deep □ Familiar
□ Slow □ Distant □ Ragged  

If voice is familiar, who did it sound like?

□ Rapid □ Slurred □ Clearing throat
□ Soft □ Nasal □ Deep breathing
□ Loud □ Stutter □ Cracking voice

 

BACKGROUND SOUNDS:

□ Clear □ Street Noise □ House Noises □ Office Machinery
□ Static □ Outdoor Noise □ Motor □ Factory Machinery
□ Local □ Voices □ Animal Noises □  
□ Long Distance □ PA System □

Other:

□ Booth □ Music

 

THREAT LANGUAGE:

□ Well-spoken □ Foul □ Incoherent □

Message read by threat-maker?

(educated) □ Irrational □ Taped

 

REMARKS:

 

 

IMMEDIATELY REPORT CALL TO THE POLICE AT 9-911

Name: ___________________________ Date:

Position: _________________________ Phone #:

 

Bomb Threat: Identifying Suspicious Items

Explosion on Campus

Fire

Fumes/Vapors

Toxic fumes can infiltrate a building from various sources – improperly stored chemicals, faulty refrigeration, equipment fires, gasoline engines operated near air intakes, etc.

If the presence of toxic fumes is suspected, the area(s) affected should be evacuated. Use a telephone away from this area and call 9-911 if it is an emergency. If not an emergency, call University Police at ext. 4141.

Ventilate the contaminated area(s). It may be possible to clear an affected area by opening windows and/or activating exhaust fans, provided such action is undertaken by trained personnel.

Emergency Treatment:

Hazardous Substance Spills

Mechanical Failures

Any emergency related to building or facility problems, such as equipment failure or erratic operation, must be reported to Campus Facilities as soon as possible.

If a failure occurs after-hours, weekends, or holidays, notify University Police at ext. 4141.

NOTE: If there is potential danger to buildings(s) and/or its occupants, call 9-911 immediately.

Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats

According to the Center for Disease Control, anthrax organisms, which can be contained in a white powdery substance, can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do so, the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another. For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.

If the presence of anthrax is suspected in a package or letter, the following procedures are to be followed:

Anthrax contamination by aerosolization is unlikely to occur and would normally involve a small device triggering spores into the air. If contamination by aerosolization is suspected:

Medical Emergencies

Severe Weather/Tornado

Michigan is a state where severe weather can change quickly in the spring and summer months. This policy addresses severe weather conditions, including tornados and other conditions which could produce a life-threatening weather environment.

Severe Weather/Tornado Watch: A WATCH is an indication that the probabilities are highest for severe weather or a tornado. A WATCH is a statement that severe weather/tornado conditions exist. The National Weather Service, which uses available data sources such as Doppler radar, satellite imagery, surface reports, and spotter reports to monitor hazardous weather threats, issues a watch bulletin to radio stations, television, cable and local emergency alert systems, such as 911. The local emergency system then dispatches the information to local police agencies.

Severe Weather/Tornado Warning: When a severe weather/tornado sighting occurs, the National Weather Service, which uses available data sources such as Doppler radar, satellite imagery, surface reports, and spotter reports to monitor hazardous weather threats, alerts the NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and a WARNING is issued. The NWR is then able to integrate the information to radio stations, television, cable and local emergency alert systems, such as 911. The local emergency system then dispatches the information to local police agencies.

In the event of a severe weather/tornado WARNING, the following communication procedure will be followed by the University Police, if time permits:

Diagrams of recommended shelter areas are located at the entrances in campus buildings.

If the campus is undamaged, classes and activities will resume. If there is damage to the campus, the University will respond in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Emergency Response Plan.

Two severe weather drills will be conducted in the spring and summer of each year, with the first occurring in April and the other in September. The dates and times of the drills will be announced to the campus community well in advance.

The emergency warning siren will be tested at 10:00 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

Student Crisis

In the event of crisis situations involving students of SVSU, such as the following, contact the University Police at 9-911. University Police will contact the Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management, as appropriate, for further referrals.

Utility Failure

Violent or Criminal Behavior

Actions To Take:

Preventive Measures:

 

 

Adopted 05/01/90 VP-ABA
Revised 12/10/01 VP-ABA