Crisis Planning at Michigan Tech Academic Forum December 3, 2008

Overview The evolution of crises on campus Types of crises The crisis cycle Crisis planning as a national imperative Crisis planning at Michigan Tech Lessons learned

Types of crises Environmental Facilities Human

The crisis cycle Crisis Planning Prepared-ness Recovery Response Prevention Prepared-ness Response Recovery

Crisis planning as a national imperative In Search of Safer Communities The IACLEA Blueprint for Safer Communities Campus Crisis Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning, Prevention, Response and Recovery

All situations/ campuses are unique No single best answer Cannot prevent every act of violent behavior A variety of roles exists There is confusion about terminology A link exists between violence and alcohol A link exists between guns and violence Work must start w/ K-12 Vast majority w/ mental health issues are not violent In Search of Safer Communities: Emerging Practices, 2008

The Michigan Tech Plan Follows National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework Defines incident and levels of crisis Identifies Emergency Operations Center Establishes communication plan Defines family & media centers

Level 1 Incident CRITERIA : Incident can be resolved by Michigan Tech employees. An outside agency may be involved as a precautionary measure or in accordance with Michigan Tech policy. Incident report submitted to appropriate administrative unit (OSHS, Risk Management, Housing Office, etc.). Duration of the incident is a maximum of one (1) hour.

Level 2 Incident CRITERIA Resolution of the incident involves both Michigan Tech and outside agency personnel. Evacuation is short term and affects immediate localized area only.   Localized EOC near the incident.  Incident report submitted to appropriate administrative unit (OSHS, Risk Management, Housing Office, etc.). Duration of the incident is a maximum of eight (8) hours.

Level 3 Incident CRITERIA Serious hazard or severe threat to life, health, or property. Resolution of incident involves multiple community and county agencies as well as multiple levels of university personnel. Major evacuation involving relocation of students and/or university personnel. Duration of the event is unpredictable. Campus-wide Emergency Operations Center post established in predetermined location. Long-term recovery plan established.

Level 3 Incident Relocation procedures activated for people displaced by the incident. Medical needs planned for using university and community resources. Communications center established to coordinate media and university related communications. Comprehensive incident report submitted to university president. Incident critique involving all agencies involved.

Communication Primary Email Text messaging Voice mail/reverse 911 Web Loudspeaker/siren Secondary Phone trees ALERT flyers Door to door

Beth - What is it? Michigan Tech’s new emergency/crisis notification service It allows us to send you emergency and time-sensitive notification via voice …to up to 3 phone numbers ..one text message - and your Michigan Tech email address. Beth - Why important ? This is how Michigan Tech will communicate with you (staff, faculty, students) when a crisis occurs on campus. We will get a message out as soon as possible once we have the crisis info all at the same time …quickly

Jess- How to sign-up? Log onto banwebwith your ISO - Click Safety First Alert contact - Follow instructions Info provided will be used for Safety First Alert only – not shared or used for other purposes NOTE – FAQ tab on side – Emergency Guide on the other side Will get a confirmation message – email (most text services too) Jess- When to sign-up? August 21 – email will be sent – click to sign-up Sign up by Sept 30 – register to win 2 season passes to Great Events or Hockey Asked to update you info annually Jess - Opting out You can opt out if you so choose. but you do need to go to the site to do this Jess - What happened when you don’t sign up or opt out? HOLD placed on your records, registration, and accts Beth - Difference of personal emergency info vs Safety First Alert info on banweb

Progress made towards the plan Established University-wide Crisis Response Team Distributed Guide to Emergency Procedures and poster Developed “Safety First” website Convened Early Intervention Team – meets weekly Refined crisis communications plan

Initiated Incident Command Team Obtained NIMS 100/200 level certification Completed two compressed drills, one comprehensive tabletop and one full drill scenario activating the EOC Hosted discussion group – post Virginia Tech Purchased, activated, and tested ConnectEd

Next steps Continue to refine Crisis Plan Provide training for all including family liaison training Conduct campus-wide mock incident Practice, practice, practice

Lessons learned Most crises can’t be predicted Every situation is unique and different There is no such thing as being over-prepared Communicate as much information up front as you can There is flexibility with FERPA Expect unfunded mandates

Staying safe Pay attention Report suspicious behavior to Public Safety Alert the Early Intervention Team Review Guide to Emergency Procedures periodically

Questions