Emergency Response Plan
Policy Statement
Butler University organizes, coordinates and directs available
resources toward an effective response to, and recovery from,
emergencies. The effectiveness of this effort is dependent on the
development of individual unit plans. The University, therefore,
expects colleges, divisions and individual departments to develop
detailed emergency plans as outlined in this manual. This policy
includes a chain of command establishing the authority and
responsibilities of campus officials and staff members, and
requires that colleges, divisions, and individual departments
designate emergency coordinators with the authority to make
modifications in emergency procedures and to commit resources for
emergency preparedness, as necessary. This plan is composed of two
specific components: The Butler University Emergency Response Plan
and The Butler University Operational Unit Emergency Response
Plans.
The Butler University Emergency Response Plan establishes and
outlines the University's response to an emergency and sets minimum
standards for the creation of Operational Unit Emergency Response
Plans.
Operational Unit Emergency Response Plans outline
department-specific responses to an emergency and should exist for
each unit of the University. These plans must be designed to
promulgate strategies for protecting people and programs and for
coordinating recovery efforts to allow for continued operation of
the University.
Purpose
The emergency response procedures outlined in this manual are to
enhance the protection of lives and property through effective use
of University resources. Whenever an emergency affecting the campus
reaches proportions that cannot be handled by routine measures, the
President, or his/her designee(s) may declare a state of emergency,
and these contingency guidelines may be implemented. There are two
types of emergencies that may result in the implementation of this
plan. These are:
- a large-scale disorder, and
- a large scale natural/man-made disaster
Scope
These procedures apply to all Butler University personnel and
buildings and grounds owned and operated by the University, and
include those peripheral areas surrounding the University.
Definitions
Category One Emergency - A Category One event
affects only one department or division of the University and does
not require a response beyond the capability of that operational
unit or division working with the University Police.
Category Two Emergency - A Category Two event
requires a coordinated response by multiple operational units or
divisions of the University. The Emergency Operations Center may be
opened.
Category Three Emergency - A Category Three
event is catastrophic in scale, affects the community surrounding
the University and requires a response beyond the University's
internal capabilities. The entire Emergency Management Team
mobilizes at the Emergency Operations Center.
Campus Response Units - University divisions
that may be required to provide direct assistance during an
emergency. These divisions must develop emergency response plans
specific to the areas under their control including the potential
request for direct assistance. They are: Operations, Finance,
Student Affairs, University Advancement, and
Information Technology (Unit Emergency Recovery Team and
Business Continuity Team)
Emergency Operations Center - A physical
location at which the Emergency Management Team convenes to
establish and carry out strategies and tactics, deploy resources,
and initiate the recovery process.
Emergency Operations Team - A group of
individuals who assess the scope of a potential emergency incident
or situation.
Emergency Operations Team Director - Butler
University Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police or
designee.
Emergency Preparedness Policy Group -
Individuals responsible for policy development, implementation and
review and training of University personnel on emergency response
planning and implementation.
Evacuation - The process of moving horizontally
or vertically in a facility for the purpose of exiting and
relocating to a predetermined rally point.
First Responder - Emergency response personnel
who are trained to provide initial medical and safety needs during
an emergency.
Incident Command - A specific method for
coordinating and managing both simple and complex emergency
responses by utilizing a top down command structure.
Lock Down - The process of securing all
entrance locations of all campus controlled facilities for the
purpose of preventing entry.
Operational Unit - A college, department,
administrative service center or operational entity.
Operational Unit Emergency Response Plan - A
document that outlines unit specific responses to an emergency
including direct assistance to other units and business
continuity.
Rally Point - A predetermined location outside
of a facility for individuals to meet and be accounted for after
being evacuated from a facility.
Shelter in Place - The process of moving
horizontally or vertically in a facility for the purpose of
relocating to the safest location within the facility based on the
type of emergency encountered.
Unit Emergency Response Coordinator (Unit
Coordinator) - Individual assigned to serve as coordinator
of operational unit response plan.
Unit Emergency Response Team Member - Trained
individuals within specific department, division or college who
have designated responsibilities to carry out in an emergency
situation.
University Emergency Response Plan
Assumptions
The University Emergency Response Plan is predicated on a
realistic approach to problems likely to occur on campus during a
major emergency or disaster. The following are general
guidelines:
- An emergency or a disaster may occur at any time of the day,
night, weekend, or holiday, and with little or no warning.
- The succession of events in an emergency is not predictable,
and therefore, published support and operational plans will serve
only as a guide and checklist, and may require field modification
in order to meet the requirements of the emergency.
- Disasters may affect residents within geographical proximity to
Butler University, and therefore, City of Indianapolis, Marion
County Disaster & Emergency Services, State and Federal
emergency services may not be immediately available. A delay in
off-campus emergency services may be expected (up to 48 - 72
hours).
- A major emergency may be declared by the Butler University
President or designee if information indicates that such a
condition is developing or is probable.
- Any incident which has the potential for adverse publicity
concerning campus resources, and/or instrumentalities of the
University should be promptly reported to the Executive Director of
University Relations at extension 9351 and the Butler University
President at extension 9900. During non-business hours report these
incidents to the University Police at extension 9396.
Types of Emergencies
Response plans shall be developed by the necessary
departments/divisions for the following emergencies:
- Tornado
- Severe Weather/Snow
- Fire
- Medical Emergency
- Utility Failure
- Gas Leak
- Violent Criminal Behavior
- Civil Disturbance or Demonstration
- Flood
- Bomb Threat
- Chemical Spill or Radiation Release
- Water Contamination
- Earthquake
- Explosion on Campus
- Active Shooter
Declaration of Campus State of Emergency
The authority to declare a campus state of emergency rests with
the Butler University President or designee as follows: When
conditions are present that meet the definition of a campus major
emergency or disaster, the University Police Department, as
required, shall place into immediate effect the appropriate
procedures necessary in order to meet the emergency, to safeguard
persons and property, and to maintain educational facilities.
Declaration of a campus state of emergency should be made in
consultation with the Coordinator of the Marion County Emergency
Management Division. The Marion County Emergency Management
Coordinator can provide Butler University with assistance in
obtaining outside resources, which will be required to successfully
mitigate the human and financial impact of disasters and
emergencies.
The University Police Department shall immediately consult with
the Emergency Operations Team Director regarding the emergency and
follow all directions as set forth in this response plan. Only
those faculty and staff members who have been assigned emergency
resource team duties, or issued an emergency pass by the University
Police Department, will be allowed to enter the immediate disaster
site.
When declaration of a campus State of Emergency (Category Two or
Three Emergency) is made, the University reserves the right to
allow only registered students, faculty, staff and affiliates
(i.e., persons required by employment) authorized to be present on
campus. Those who cannot present proper identification
(registration, employee identification card, or other I.D.) showing
their legitimate business on campus will be asked to leave the
campus. Unauthorized persons remaining on campus may be subject to
arrest in accordance with applicable Indiana Criminal codes.
Emergency Contact List
Butler University's Crisis Communication Plan
should contain updated emergency contact numbers from every
Operational Unit Emergency Response Plan.
Incident Command Posts
When a major emergency occurs, or is imminent, it shall be the
responsibility of the University Police Department to set up and
staff an appropriate incident command post. The incident command
post will be established in accordance with the guidelines listed
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The incident
command post can be either a Field Incident Command Post or a
General Incident Command Post:
- Field Incident Command Post: If the emergency
involves only one building or a small part of the campus a Field
Incident Command Post will be established as near to the emergency
as reasonably possible.
- General Incident Command Post: If the
emergency involves a large part of the campus, the Command Post is
to be established in the President's Conference Room, JH 101. If
that site is unavailable, then the Command Post will be established
in the Donor Room, Clowes Memorial Hall.
Incident Command Structure
Emergency Operations Center
Upon activation by the Emergency Operations Team Director or his
designee, the Operation Team will meet in the Office of the Vice
President for Operations, located in Jordan Hall 116. The Donor
Room located in Clowes Memorial Hall, is designated as the
secondary Emergency Operations Center.
Emergency Operations Team
The Emergency Operations Team shall be directed by the Director
of Public Safety/Chief of Police or designee. The team shall
consist of the following individuals:
- President
- Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Vice President for Student Affairs
- Vice President for Finance
- Vice President for Operations
- Vice President for Enrollment Management
- Vice President for University Advancement
- Director of Public Savety/Chief of Police
- Executive Director for Clowes Memorial Hall
- Executive Director for Information and Technology
- Director of Athletics
- Executive Director of University Relations
- Executive Director of Human Resources Management and
Development
Campus Response Units
Some divisions and units shall develop emergency response plans
that promulgate the procedures for protecting life and property.
These plans must be in response to the types of emergencies
identified in the University Emergency Response Plan. These plans
shall include sections on preparedness, implementation, and
recovery. A copy of the plans shall be kept at the Emergency
Operations Center. Those divisions and units are as follows:
- University Relations
- Student Affairs Division
- Purchasing Services
- Butler University Police Department
- Maintenance Services Department
- Building Services Department
- Environmental Programs
- Information Technology
- Human Resources Management & Development
Emergency Response Plan Coordinators
As directed by the Butler University Emergency Response Plan,
each building will have a designated emergency response
plan coordinator, who should be a full-time member of the
University, and who is familiar with the colleges and divisions in
the building, and the physical layout of the facility. For
notification purposes, a primary and secondary person should be
identified. The specific duties are as follows:
- Coordinate emergency training for all operational Unit
Coordinators.
- Maintain copies of Operational Unit Emergency Response Plans
and ensure periodic updates.
- Collect necessary paperwork from Unit
Coordinators.
- Maintain emergency equipment for their designated area.
Operational Unit Coordinators
As directed by the Butler University Emergency Response Plan,
each department will have a designated operational unit
coordinator, who should be a full-time member of the University,
and who is familiar with his/her specific department, and the
physical layout of the department. For notification purposes, a
primary and secondary person should be identified. The specific
duties are as follows:
- Coordinate departmental efforts in drafting the operational
unit plan.
- Coordinate emergency training and communications for all
department members.
- Maintain copies of Operational Unit Emergency Response Plan and
ensure periodic updates.
- Maintain emergency equipment for their department.
Crisis Communications
A critical aspect of an organization's strength is its ability
to communicate effectively in an emergency. This requires
thoughtful proactive planning, which lays out the fundamental
structure and systems for external and internal response to a wide
variety of events and conditions. Since all possible scenarios
cannot be planned for in detail, a well-developed plan requires
detailing of responsibilities, procedures, and action plans that
address general categories of emergencies and crises.
The responsibility of the Executive Director of University
Relations is to ensure all departments and appropriate staffs are
informed of media procedures. This will be critical to successful
implementation of the plan in the event of an emergency. Effective
response will also depend on the following:
- Timely response to media requests
- Effective utilization of available resources, both internal and
external
- Clear definition of roles and responsibilities of individual
staff members and departments
- Carefully planned communications with all interested
parties
- A relationship with media organizations that fosters their
playing a supportive role in our communication efforts
- Periodic re-evaluation and update of this plan to incorporate
administrative and organizational changes, as well as other changes
which need to be considered in the plan, such as new buildings
systems, new types of labs, etc.
Operational Unit Emergency Response Plan
Individual deans and directors are responsible for ensuring
their colleges and areas have current emergency plans in place, and
that all individuals within their respective area, including
faculty, staff and students, are familiar with emergency procedures
and contacts. As directed by the President, as part of their plans,
deans and directors are responsible for assigning emergency
preparedness and response duties to the appropriate faculty or
staff member. All Operational Unit Emergency Response Plans must be
kept current and must be updated as faculty, staff, and programs
change. Plans should be available in both hard copy and electronic
formats. Members of the Emergency Preparedness Policy Group will
assist in developing and training those assigned emergency
preparedness and response duties. The Operational Unit Emergency
Response Plan will include:
- Listing of individual Emergency Response Team
Members, including contact information
- Location of individual rally points
- Evacuation procedures and routes
- Area checklists and reporting instructions
- Evacuation plans for students with disabilities
- Phone tree information for contacting key individuals within an
Operational Unit
- Listing of mission critical resources
- Listing of hazardous materials
- Listing of specific duties and responsibilities of
Emergency Response Team Members:
- Assist in evacuation/shelter-in-place procedures
- Conduct cursory search of area of responsibility
- Complete required paper work associated with an emergency