University of Nebraska Kearney

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Emergency Operation Plan  

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I. Policy 

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is committed to supporting the welfare of its students, faculty, staff and community. This plan is designed to provide guidance applicable to all emergencies, but not all emergencies require implementation of all aspects of the plan. Minor emergencies may not require any implementation of this plan if they can be satisfactorily resolved utilizing normal operational procedures.

This plan identifies functional responsibilities for various organizations and offices within the University. It is anticipated that implementation of this plan will reduce the risk to the University through prevention and mitigation, preparedness, rapid response and coordinated recovery operations.

The plan provides for aiding the local community when appropriate, though the prime responsibilities of the plan are to the University for which it is designed. The intent is for the plan to be viewed as a tool to accomplish the above stated purpose with a minimum of confusion and wasted efforts.

II. Purpose 

Using all available resources in the most effective manner, the Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) predetermines to the extent possible, actions to be taken by the University to achieve the following:

1. Prevent and minimize injuries  
2. Prevent and minimize property damage
3. Effective response to natural disasters and other emergencies
4. Supply the public with regular and accurate communication and information
5. Provide education to the University community on natural disasters and other emergencies
6. Provide for rapid recovery from an emergency
7. Coordinate emergency plans with University departments and external agencies
8. Provide for psychological services to meet trauma needs after the emergency
9. Meet regulatory obligations

III. Basic Assumptions

Three potential levels of emergencies are considered:

1. Level One / Low Risk- Routine incident requiring emergency response from existing available resources. No response required of the Administrative or Emergency Operation Team (EOT).
2. Level Two / Medium Risk- Incidents or threats having the potential of disrupting campus operations and/or services and having the potential of creating negative public reaction. Any member of the EOT may begin the process of activating a portion or all of the EOT
3. Level Three / High Risk- Serious incident or imminent threat disrupting University operations, or causing unusually intense public reaction to potential health and safety incidents, or requiring activation of the plan and/or the Buffalo County Emergency Operation Plan. Any member of the EOT may begin the process of activating the team.

IV. Scope 

The EOP will be put into effect whenever an emergency disrupts university business, threatens the lives of university students, faculty, staff and/or visitors, or creates major damage within the university. This plan focuses on:

1. Medical Emergencies
2. Natural Disaster (flood, tornado, severe weather)
3. Man-Made Threats/Emergencies (fire, bio-terrorism, bomb threat) 
4. Hazardous Material Emergencies (chemical spills)

During such emergencies, all UNK resources will be made available to the Emergency Operations Team.  

V. Authority and Implementation 

1. The authority to declare a University emergency lies with the Chancellor or his/her designees.
2. Members of the Administrative Team will contact the Chancellor anytime they gain information indicating the EOP needs to be initiated.  Members of the Emergency Operation Team (EOT) will contact their department’s Vice Chancellor anytime they gain information indicating the EOP needs to be initiated. 
3. Any member of the EOT can activate a portion or all of the EOT upon gaining information of an event that may cause a significant impact on the campus.
4. Once the Chancellor has initiated the EOP, the Administrative Team will contact the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance to activate the EOT if not already activated.  If the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance is unavailable, they will contact another executive team member.   As these decisions are being made, the individuals at the scene of the situation will be taking the proper steps to help prevent and minimize injuries to individuals and damages to property. These actions will follow each department’s emergency action plans that are in conjunction with this plan.
5. The members of the EOT will have the authority to enlist the help of representatives from other units, as necessary, to participate in response to any emergency.
6. The Incident Commander and/or the Emergency Coordinator will deactivate the Emergency Operation Plan / Team when they are no longer needed.

VI. Administrative Team 

The Administrative Team will consist of:

1. Chancellor
2. Vice Chancellors
3. Dean for Student Affairs
4. The Chancellor will be the individual responsible for all final decisions. In the absence of the Chancellor, the established line of succession is the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance, Vice Chancellor of University Relations, Dean for Student Affairs. 

VII. Administrative Team Duties 

The duties consist of:

1. Declaration of a University emergency, if necessary
2. Issue official statements and directions as deemed necessary
3. Necessary decision making to resolve differences, such as prioritizing actions to be taken, and allocating essential resources
4. Making official requests for assistance from other governmental subdivisions (City, County, and State) as required
5. Act as liaison with University Central Administration to inform them of a campus emergency and update as needed

VIII. Executive Committee 

The Executive Committee consists of:

1. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance
2. Student Affairs Representative
3. The Director of Police & Parking Services
4. Academic Affairs Representative
5. Risk Coordinator  

IX. Executive Committee Duties 

The duties consist of:

1. Oversees the overall mission/ direction of the team
2. Schedule regular meetings of the Emergency Operation Team
3. Monitor EOT budget and approve expenditures
4. Make decisions for the team when time is limited
5. Completes a yearly review and updates of the plan

X. Emergency Operation Team  

The Emergency Operation Team will normally consist of the following persons or their designee. It is recommended that each of these team members have a minimum of two back up designees.    In the event he/she is not available a designee will be contacted to serve in his/her place.   

1. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance
2. Director of Police & Parking Services
3. Director of Facilities
4. Director of Counseling and Health Care
5. Director of Human Resources
6. Director of Residential and Greek Life
7. Director of Media Relations
8. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Information Technology
9. Academic Affairs Representative
10. Student Affairs Representative
11. Student Representative
12. UNMC Representative
13. Risk Manager Coordinator  

XI. Emergency Operation Team Duties 

The Emergency Operation Team, under the direction of the Executive Committee will be responsible for the following:                

1. Coordinate the response actions for the University to avoid duplication of effort between departments
2. When required, open the campus switchboard
3. Provide the Administrative Team with the necessary information to make decisions concerning campus safety and the need for outside support
4. Coordinate and implement the effective utilization of resources from outside agencies
5. Coordinate and implement damage assessment