Emergency preparedness at U-M: Questions and answers




Updated 4:00 PM March 24, 2003
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Emergency preparedness at U-M: Questions and answers

Editor's note: The following information was sent to deans, directors and department heads last week by William Bess, director of the Department of Public Safety. Emergency plans long have been in place at the University, and since Sept. 11, 2001, all of us have become more aware of the need to be prepared. Staff members from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, the Health System, Plant Operations, Student Affairs and others have been working together to coordinate efforts for emergency preparedness at the University. Plans have been reviewed and revised, where necessary, to help ensure the University is a safe and secure environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

You can play an important role. As a U-M community member:

• You are urged to be vigilant and observant of anything that might be suspicious

• Report those observations immediately to DPS by calling 911 from any campus phone or (734) 763-1131 from a cell phone, or using any U-M emergency "blue-light" phone. These reports can help law enforcement officials in solving crimes or identifying threats to campus security.

What else can each of us do? Below you'll find an outline of emergency preparedness efforts at U-M and recommended actions.

Q: What is the University doing to protect students, faculty and staff?

A: University officials have completed a number of initiatives:

• Emergency response protocols have been established

• Evacuation plans for University buildings, including residence halls, are in place and have been reviewed

• Lab security plans have been analyzed, assessed and updated in collaboration with governmental agencies, such as the FBI, the Washtenaw County Public Health Department and the Ann Arbor Fire Department

• Emergency Procedures flipcharts providing information for many types of emergencies have been posted in buildings throughout campus

• Effective relationships are well established with many local, state and federal agencies to assist our administration in continuing to analyze any potential threats or actual emergencies

• Police and security patrols throughout buildings and campus property occur on a regular basis

• Operational staff members have been trained through our Eyes and Ears program

• Our Level I Trauma Center is fully prepared to care for injured persons in a mass emergency, including those that involve biological, chemical or radiological materials.

• Health System experts have been working with other health care and emergency response officials in southeast Michigan in preparation for a coordinated emergency medical response.

Q: Does the University have an Emergency Operations Plan?

A: Yes, it does. Coordination of the Emergency Operations Plan is the responsibility of DPS. DPS and many other operations staff have been working together to coordinate efforts for emergency responses. Standard procedures for many emergencies, including evacuation, bomb threat, biological spill, and fire and medical emergencies, can be found in our Emergency Procedures flipcharts.

Q: How will I know if the University closes? Or the Hospital? Or if a major event is canceled?

A: The University rarely closes; the University Hospital will remain open. However, if changes are necessary, we will provide specific instructions to the local television, radio and print media in addition to posting notices on our main gateway (http://www.umich.edu). The same is true if non-emergency medical appointments need to be delayed or special events are canceled.

Q: Should I pick up my student or spouse in the event of an emergency?

A: That is an individual decision. We don't have any information at this time that indicates there is a specific threat to the University. We all should continue to conduct our daily business of learning, teaching, researching and enjoying University events. In the meantime, keep in touch with family and friends and discuss what you would do if things escalated.

Q: Where should students, faculty and staff go in an emergency?

A: The answer will vary depending on the kind or nature of the emergency.

• Depending on the emergency, it will be important to decide whether to stay or leave. Use available information to determine your action

• Follow instructions from emergency personnel and building coordinators

• If the emergency is more widespread, instructions for possible relocation or shelter may be distributed through http://www.umich.edu, e-mail to the University community, local media and/or special bulletins through University officials and emergency personnel.

Q: What can I do to be prepared?

A: There are several things each of us can do:

• Remain calm; don't panic

• Stay tuned to radio or television stations for updated information

• Review the Emergency Procedures flipchart

• Contact your building coordinator to learn your building's evacuation plan and become familiar with building exits near you

• Monitor sensitive areas

• Report suspicious and/or unauthorized persons to DPS by calling 911 or (734) 763-1131

• Secure building maintenance areas and loading docks

• Keep offices and residence rooms locked when unattended

• Immediately report to DPS (911 or 763-1131) suspicious or unattended packages, containers or vehicles; signs of break-ins or attempted, unauthorized entries; or unusual odors or substances

• Use the buddy system. Never go somewhere alone, especially at night

• Be informed. View Web sites such as http://www.ready.gov or http://www.redcross.org. If we receive a specific threat for southeast Michigan, check the U-M gateway for specific instructions. We'll also send information via e-mail to the campus community

• Know the location of fire extinguishers

• Talk with your family about how you'll communicate with one another in an emergency

• Use care, caution, common sense and control.

Q: What else should I know?

A: If an emergency occurs, stay away from the area. By going to the incident, you'll only add to the problem and could become another victim

• Evacuate your building whenever an alarm is sounded

• Hazardous material hoaxes, harassing e-mails, graffiti and rumor-spreading could be criminal actions. They are not helpful to our campus community, and they distract our emergency responders from their work

• Obey all instructions from emergency personnel.

Q: What if I'm an international student or staff member? What do I need to know?

A: The University's International Center (http://www.umich.edu/~icenter) is an excellent resource for all international students and staff. Additional information and resources for faculty, staff and students planning international travel are available through the U-M Travel Registration Web site at http://www.umich.edu/~itoc.

Q: Whom can I talk with if I still feel anxious?

A: There are a variety of services available to students, faculty and staff, as well as those who support others in need:

• Students with related concerns should contact the U-M Counseling and Psychological Services at http://www.umich.edu/~caps/

• Staff and faculty with related concerns should contact U-M Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at http://www.umich.edu/~fasap

• Health System faculty and staff should contact http://www.med. umich.edu/mworks/eap.

The following is an excerpt of a similar note to the Flint campus from Bill Webb, assistant vice chancellor for administration:

On this campus, the Department of Public Safety (DPS), Environment Health and Safety (EHS) and Facilities Management have been working with campus officials and other local authorities to ensure a coordinated and effective response to any campus threat.

Please report any unusual or suspicious activity or behavior to our DPS by dialing (810) 762-3335, 911 on any campus phone, or by picking up any of the blue or red campus emergency telephones.

Members of the campus community may find it helpful to re-familiarize themselves with the University's Campus Emergency Response Plan (ERP). The ERP can be viewed by clicking on http://vca.umflint.edu/ehs/.

Individual departments may also want to discuss their on-site ERP with students, faculty and staff. EHS and DPS also are available to meet and discuss with individual departments their specific departmental emergency plans, and are available to coordinate training and drills.

Please feel free to contact DPS, EHS or the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration if you have any questions or concerns regarding these important matters.

Emergency preparedness at U-M: Questions and answers

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