Evaluation of San Diego State University's emergency preparedness plan

Emergency Plan for San Diego State University

Evaluation of Emergency Plan of San Diego University

San Diego State University has set out "emergency preparedness, response, and recovery guidelines for students, faculty, staff and campus auxiliary organizations so that the effects of campus emergency situations can be minimized." (San Diego State University, Division of Business and Financial Affairs, 2014, p. 1) San Diego State University has placed emergency numbers across the campus and on its webpage and includes the following:

(1) SDSU Policy (police/medical/fire) 9-1-1

(2) Environmental Health and Safety (chemical spills/toxic fumes) 46778 or [HIDDEN]

Also placed for information is the Emergency Operations Information Line 1- [HIDDEN] .

San Diego State University's Home Page is located at www.sdsu.edu and it is reported that in the event of an emergency on the campus that this webpage is updated. San Diego State University has developed a check list for what should be done before, during and following an emergency. The checklist includes the following items:

(1) BEFORE AN EMERGENCY

Become familiar with campus Emergency Preparedness information and resources at www.sdsu.edu/prepare, including:

Emergency Phone Numbers

Emergency Procedures (printable)

Evacuation Assembly Points (printable)

Emergency Communications

Signup to receive emergency notification via text message at www.sdsu.edu/ealert.

Emergency Notification

Outdoor loud speakers may not be audible indoors; refer to the SDSU Home page at www.sdsu.edu for information and updates.

Emergency Operations Plan

Become familiar with your building floor plans, building exits, and doors.

Become familiar with your department safety coordinators.

Maintain department phone trees.

Maintain individual preparedness supplies (additional information is available at www.readysandiego.org).

Complete a Department Emergency Plan (template available under Resources at www.sdsu.edu/prepare).

Complete a Business Continuity Plan (template available under Resources at www.sdsu.edu/prepare).

Cooperate during campus emergency drills.

Share this information with students, faculty, and staff at the beginning of each semester.

(2) DURING AN EMERGENCY

Remain calm.

Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Alert emergency responders (police, fire, medical) to situations requiring their attention.

If you are EVACUATING* a building, move to the designated evacuation assembly point by the safest route available.

Take personal belongings.

Walk; do not run. Do not use elevators.

Assist individuals with disabilities.

Provide emergency personnel with relevant information.

Remain at the evacuation assembly point and do not re-enter building until authorized by emergency personnel.

If you are SHELTERING IN PLACE,

* stay inside the building or proceed to a safe place.

If you are in a room with a door, make sure the door is closed. Due to the varying age of campus buildings, doors may lock manually, remotely, or not at all.

If applicable and time permits, lock doors and silence cell phones.

If you are in a room with a window, make sure the window is closed.

Remain where you are until further direction from emergency personnel or department safety coordinators. (San Diego State University, 2014, p. 1)

San Diego State University has published an evacuation plan as shown in the following illustration labeled Figure 1.

Figure 1

Source: San Diego State University

Each department at San Diego State University is required to complete a department essential functions worksheet. Included in the worksheets is the estimated time taken for the function, the key personnel and attributes and other departments and vendors critical to the function. Additionally included are the vital systems and programs, the network requirements, and the facilities and equipment. Finally the vital records and information must be listed. (San Diego State University, Business Continuity Plan, 2014, p. 1-3)

Included in San Diego State University's emergency plans are the emergency plans in the event of an earthquake, The University has drills for various events that might occur including earthquake drills, fire drills, and additionally has evacuation drills. There is a great deal of training for safety officers and safety coordinators as well. Included in previous drills and training are the following listed events:

University Police / Law Enforcement Exercise (Love Library / Campanile Walkway) (July 16, 2014)

Safety Coordinator / ALICE Training [PDF] (July 2014)

Evacuation Drill (April 8, 2014)

Safety Coordinator Training (Spring 2014) [PPT]

Overnight MTS/SDFD Disaster Drill (Nov. 6-7, 2013)

Evacuation Drill (July 2013)

Safety Coordinator Training (July 2013) [PPT]

Confined Space Entry Rescue (April 2013)

Earthquake Preparedness (October 2012) [PDF]

Evacuation Drill (August 2012)

Evacuation Drill (April 2012)

Safety Coordinator Training (Spring 2012) [PPT]

Drop, Cover, and Hold Earthquake Exercise (October 2011)

Part B

Introduction

According to FEMA in its publications entitled "Understanding Incident Management" it is important to have a "comprehensive emergency operations Plan (EOP)" and the school must give consideration to the following key areas:

(1) Providing a description to the activities related to the primary areas of incident management;

(2) Provide a description as to the school emergency operations plan and how this fits into the "district, community, and family/personal emergency plans." (p.1)

The school must consider the following activities in order to develop a comprehensive EOP:

(1) Prevention The capabilities necessary to avoid, prevent, or stop a threatened or actual act of terrorism. For the purposes of the prevention framework called for in PPD-8, the term "prevention" refers to preventing imminent threats.

(2) Protection The capabilities necessary to secure the homeland against acts of terrorism and manmade or natural disasters.

(3) Mitigation The capabilities necessary to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.

(4) Response The capabilities necessary to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs after an incident has occurred.

(5) Recovery The capabilities necessary to assist communities affected by an incident to recover effectively. (FEMA, 2013, p. 1)

I. Incident Management Continuum

The Incident Management Continuum is reported to include the following components:

(1) Prior to the incident -- it is reported that actions should be taken in the form of "prevention, protection and mitigation" in order to prevent an incident or in order to reduce the impact of the accident.

(2) During the incident -- it is reported that response activities should have a focus on safety of life followed by the process of recovery;

(3) Following the incident it is reported that "Response and recovery activities include how best to incorporate prevention, protection, and mitigation measures to be better prepared for the next incident. (FEMA, 2013, p. 1)

Summary and Conclusion

This study has evaluated the emergency planning provisions of San Diego State University. The emergency planning procedures of San Diego State University are found to be in compliance with FEMA planning and regulations for incident command and response. The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for San Diego State University are found to be in strict compliance with the items set out in FEMA regulations.