Responsibility for issuing evacuation orders rests with the Chancellor or by direction of the City of Kearney. When there is an immediate need to protect lives and provide for public safety, the on-scene commander can make the decision to evacuate. Individual responsibility should be taken by all faculty, staff, students and guests to ensure for their own safety.
Public Notification
Persons to be evacuated should be given as much warning time as possible. On slow moving events, pre-evacuation notice will be given to affected residents. All warning modes will be utilized to direct the affected population to evacuate campus. This will include use of the UNKAlert! System to notify individuals by phone, e-mail and text message. The University will also post information on the University Web page and use the television scrolling system. Wherever possible, the University building evacuation plans will be implemented and work area reps and floor monitors will walk through buildings going door-to-door to notify occupants.
The Office of Communication will ensure emergency and evacuation information is disseminated to the media in a timely manner. Instructions to the public such as traffic routes to be followed, location of temporary reception centers, and situation updates will be issued as information becomes available.
Movement
It is anticipated that the primary evacuation mode will be in private vehicle. Evacuation routes will be selected by law enforcement officials at the time of the evacuation decision. If at all possible, two-way traffic will be maintained on all evacuation routes to allow continued access for emergency vehicles. Movement instructions will be part of the warning and subsequent public information releases.
Transportation
The Emergency Management Coordinator will determine the need for special transportation, coordinate the use of transportation resources to support the evacuation and announce convenient centralized locations as assembly areas. There could be cases where elderly, infirm or handicapped persons in the evacuation area will not be able to get to the assembly point or would need a special type of transportation. Provisions will be made for vehicles to transport these individuals. The public will be instructed how to notify EOC of any special transportation problems. The University Child Development Center will take priority when assessing transportation needs.
Access Control
During times of evacuation University buildings will be locked down. In certain situations buildings will be pinned so that only authorized emergency personnel have access. A perimeter would be established and enforced by Police and Parking Services. An access pass system would be established.
Re-entry
The re-entry decision and order will be made by the Chancellor after the threat has passed and the evacuated area has been inspected by all necessary safety personnel.