1.

Emergency Director: The Vice President of Administration or his designee serves as the overall Emergency Director during any major emergency or disaster. Members of the Emergency Services and Safety Committee (ESSC) and designated faculty and staff will assist in carrying out emergency procedures. As Chief Executive Officer, the President is apprised of all situations that affect the operation of the institution or pose a threat to personal safety or property.  In addition, legal counsel shall be apprised of all such emergencies.

 

2.	Minor Emergency: Any incident, potential or actual, which will not seriously affect the overall functional capacity of the University.

 

3.

Major Emergency: Any incident, potential or actual, which affects an entire building or buildings and which will disrupt the overall operations of the University. Outside emergency services may specifically be required, as well as major policy considerations and decisions will usually be required. If the Vice President of Administration is not available, the Executive Vice President should be contacted and will assume responsibility. In the event that both the Vice President of Administration and the Executive Vice President are not available, the Vice President for Academic Affairs should be contacted and will assume responsibility.  Because major emergencies involve specific legal liabilities by nature of their impact, legal counsel should be involved to the extent of the President.

 

4.

Disaster: Any event or occurrence, which has taken place and has seriously impaired or halted the operations of the University. In some cases, mass personnel casualties and severe property damage may be sustained. A coordinated effort of all campus-wide resources is required to control the situation effectively. Outside emergency services will be essential.

 

5.	Assumptions: This Emergency Procedure Manual provides a plan for a realistic approach to the problems likely to be encountered on a campus during a major emergency or disaster. Hence, the following are general guidelines:

 

a) An emergency or disaster may occur at any time of the day or night, weekend, or holiday, with little or no warning.

b) The succession of events in an emergency is not predictable, hence published support and operational plans will serve only as a guide and checklist, and may require field modification in order to meet the requirements of the emergency.