Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Crisis Planning on College Campuses

1. Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst: Crisis Planning on College Campuses NASPA IV EAST Regional Conference November 2-4, Indianapolis IN

2. 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

4. Types of crises • Environmental • Facilities • Human

5. The crisis cycle

6. 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

7. 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

8. Recommendations • NASPA • IACLEA • Others

9. 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

10. Incident levels • Level 1 Incident • Level 2 Incident • Level 3 Incident

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

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

18. Response example • Transition to recovery • Implement Business Continuity Plan • Facilities restored and open for business Media Center Staffed EOC Established Chemical Spill Dept. Staff Building Evacuation Public Safety Facilities OSHS

19. 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

20. 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

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

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

23. 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

24. Questions