The State of Emergency Management Planning on College Campuses Marian E. Mosser, Ph.D. Capella University Higher Education Conference June 2009

2 Agenda Strategies of prevention, partnership, and collaboration Cases studies: Best practices Implementing a comprehensive emergency plan

3 “As potential targets of violence, American schools have been forced into an unfamiliar role—providing security, not just education.” U.S. Department of Justice (2009)

4 Disasters and College Campuses Crime on college and university campuses first captured media attention in the mid- 1980s In the past decade FEMA has awarded billions is disaster assistance to public and private universities Federal laws, and the programs, policies, and procedures continue to be developed to enhance preparedness, safety, security, and crime victim assistance on many campuses

5 Perspective on Disaster Planning Seldom are colleges and universities part of the total community disaster management planning. Colleges and universities have a reason to be involved in disaster preparedness. Understand how college and universities relate to other community structures. Understand the context of college or university disaster planning. FDEM, (2008)

6 It Could Happen to Your College Loma Prieta damaged Stanford Univ Hurricane Andrew Univ of Miami Northridge Earthquake Cal. State Univ Red River flood Univ of North Dakota Flood Colorado State Univ Hurricane George Tulane Univ Hurricane Floyd East Caroline Univ Shooting Virginia Tech Hurricane Ike Lone Star College System and Galveston College

7 Some Key Questions? How will your school respond to these threats? Does your staff know how to properly document threats? What process do you use to assess the threat and determine a course of action? Have you trained search and evacuation teams? Do your community's emergency responders know your response protocol? How do you follow up an incident? Have you done a tactical review of your school and implemented preventative measures?

8 Essential Planning Hazard Analysis Examining historical records Transportation; rail, highway interstates Engineering projects airports etc., boats Weather patterns Maps and terrain Dangerous materials MN bridge I-35 Collapse (2007)

9 College Planning and Operations Physical structures People locations Resources ***Survival Activities***** Tornado Linwood, KS, April 2009 Some disasters provide lead time Protection and warning for people Protective action for property Resources for response and recovery

10 College Planning Determine patterns of evacuation and routes Identification of parts of buildings to use a shelters Buildings that may increase risk Patterns of behavior that will different from day to day operations Understand usual routes in and around college Redundancy in communications

11 College Planning Damage assessment, medical, counseling teams Loss of utilities; power, water, communications Inventory of equipment, records, supplies etc. Campus warning system; cell phones, computers, lights, sirens Public affairs or information officer to handle media Information flow to key stakeholders

12 Partnerships and Sharing Information Role of Private Sector Establish a plan; mission, objectives, goals Case studies with lessons learned Laws, regulations, guidance Obtain expertise in disaster management Conduct all hazard vulnerability & risk assessments Communications and warning College staff, faculty, students students Alumni Federal, state, local government agencies government agencies Non profit agencies Community and and businesses businesses

13 Key’s to Success in Any Disaster The key to effective response is for schools and emergency responders to first understand each other’s perspectives. Roles and responsibilities of what can be expected in each type of incident (bomb threat, explosion incident, and suspicious package). Work together to define how each type of incident will be handled and plan for that incident. Success can be directly attributed to thorough pre- planning.

14 Best Practices in State Law and in Institutional Policies/Programs FDEM (2009)

15 Websites College Disaster Preparedness, Recovery & Planning Resources at: sterp.html-ssi#Preparedness sterp.html-ssi#Preparedness Campus Fire Watch at: firewatch.com/ firewatch.com/ Collegefiresafety.org at: International Association of Emergency Managers at:

16 References Berman, D. & Redlener, I. (2006). National preparedness planning: The historical context and the current state of the U.S. public’s readiness, Journal of International Affairs, 59 (2), Department of Education. (2009). Action Guide for Emergency Management at Institutions of Higher education. Washington, D.C. Department of Homeland Security (2008). National Response Framework. Washington, D.C. Fields, C. (2005). Higher education in Katrina’s wake. Washington, D.C: Heldref Publications. Jackson, B. A. (2008). The problem of measuring emergency preparedness. Santa monica, CA: RAND Corporation.

17 Conclusion and Questions Sustainability is a problem If you develop a plan, that’s great. University leaders must take it off the shelf and rehearse and practice “Got to keep it going.” Shuttershcok (2009)