Following NIMS guidelines, the University has adopted the following general guidelines to assess the severity of emergencies affecting the University and to coordinate an appropriate response. In the event of an unanticipated emergency, these are the guidelines for the University’s default response.
| Level |
Type of Emergency |
Response |
Examples |
| 1 |
A minor department or building problem that can be resolved using internal resources. |
A Level 1 incident should be reported to the appropriate University academic or business unit and will be resolved internally by following established policies and procedures. Public Safety may be contacted when such incidents occur outside of regular business hours. |
Broken water pipes, faulty locks, problems with telephone service, etc. Such issues should be reported to Facility Operations or the Help Desk (TCC). |
| 2 |
A facilities-focused emergency having little impact on members of the campus community, other than those using the specific area where it occurred. Such emergencies can typically be resolved with internal resources or with limited assistance from outside agencies. |
Generally, Level 2 events should be reported to the appropriate University academic or business unit and resolved internally by following established policies and procedures, unless the situation poses danger to persons or property. If that is the case, persons aware of the emergency should also notify Public Safety. |
Minor chemical spills, loss of heat or electricity for several hours, a minor fire confined to a single room, etc. |
| 3 |
A major, potentially catastrophic emergency or imminent threat of such an emergency, impacting a sizeable portion of a campus and/or its surrounding community, which requires a response involving significant assistance from external emergency response agencies. May also be an emergency situation focused on a person or persons (as opposed to only University facilities), that can be resolved with internal resources or with limited assistance from local authorities. |
In a Level 3 emergency, call 9-1-1, and then contact Public Safety immediately. Public Safety will then contact the appropriate external agencies for assistance and promptly notify the Director of Public Safety and/or the VP for Facility Operations. The Director of Public Safety or the VP for Facility Operations shall immediately notify the EERT. Prior to assembling the EERT, on-scene emergency responders are authorized to make critical operational decisions and to commit resources to mitigate and control the emergency.
Appropriate departments (Student Affairs, Human Resources, Office of Institutional Diversity, etc.) may then be contacted, as appropriate. If the University’s response requires resources from a variety of areas within the University, the EERT may be notified to provide direction and coordination. |
Major criminal activity, tornados, significant act of violence, including but not limited to an active shooter situation, terrorism, flood, major fire, extended power outage, or a contagious disease outbreak. |