Introduction

The University of Colorado Boulder Emergency Management Policy provides policy guidance to the emergency management organizations on campus for the mitigation, preparedness and response and recovery activities due to an emergency.

Policy Statement

As the chief executive officer for the university, the Chancellor is responsibile for the academic mission and operations of the campus. The Chancellor is also responsible for oversight of the health, safety, and welfare of individuals on the campus, as well as the operation and protection of university facilities and resources, and the reputational standing of the university. In response to an Emergency, the Chancellor or EMPG Chair each have the full discretion to convene the Emergency Management Policy Group so that the EMPG can request or propose recommendations for Policy-level decisions to the Chancellor. If the EMPG cannot convene in a timely manner relative to the Emergency, the Chancellor will make Policy-level decisions based on his or her best judgement. Each EMPG member is responsible for understanding and conveying the scope of the impact of any emergency on his or her area of responsibility to the Chancellor in order for the Chancellor to make an informed decision. The EMPG members are responsible for providing directions to their respective units and supporting the activities related to a specific incident as outlined in the Emergency Operations Plan.

The EMPG Chair is responsible for drafting and implementing best practices regarding emergency management through campus procedures and periodic training to ensure that the university and the emergency organizations are prepared for an Emergency. The EMPG Chair will work closely with the Emergency Operations Center to monitor any major campus emergency.

In order to increase the level of security and preparedness for all personnel, the university shall ensure that all students, faculty, and staff receive periodic emergency training.

Devolution of Authority

In the event that the Chancellor is incapacitated or not available to make a Policy-level decision, devolution of authority will proceed as follows:

Chancellor –> Provost –> Chief Operating Officer –> Executive Vice Provost

Definitions

Emergency – conditions which harm or threaten to harm the university community, as determined by the Chancellor or designee, including but not limited to a significant concern or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees occurring on the campus.

Emergency Management Policy-level Group or EMPG – The members of this group include senior campus leaders that serve as an advisory board for the Chancellor in the event of an emergency. With input and direction from the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrity, Safety and Compliance proposes the membership of this group for the Chancellor s review and approval.

Emergency Management Operations Group or EMOG – The members of this group are from organizations directly involved in managing campus incidents and communicating to the campus community and serve as subject matter experts on campus emergency management issues and a personnel reserve to staff an activated incident command post. EMOG meets regularly to discuss plans and readiness, emergent issues, emergency management strategies, conduct trainings and exercises, and provide recommendations for the EMPG s consideration.

Emergency Operations Plan or EOP – an all-hazards plan that outlines the institution s comprehensive approach to responding to emergencies that impact or have the potential to impact campus. The EOP also assigns roles and responsibilities of campus entities during emergencies, describes lines of authority and organizational relationships and shows how all actions will be coordinated, and details the plan purpose, scope, assumptions, concept of operations, administration and finance, and plan maintenance process. The EOP includes hazard- and function-specific annexes. The EOP outlines Clery Act responsibilities.

EMPG Chair – the Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrity, Safety and Compliance or the vice chancellor otherwise responsible for the police and other emergency response personnel. The EMPG Chair is responsible for convening the EMPG and providing them situational awareness of the emergency.

EMOG Chair – the Director for Emergency Management is the chair of this group and is responsible for activating the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and for escalating requests for the Policy-level decisions to the EMPG Chair. The EMOG Chair also participates in briefings to the EMPG and may convene the EMPG in the absence of the EMPG Chair.

Policy-level Decisions – Decisions that are solely within the purview of the Chancellor (e.g., campus closure) or when the Chancellor s direction is required to resolve conflict or silent or ambiguous policies implicated by the Emergency.

Related Policies

APS

  • Risk Management

Campus Policies

Authorities

Campus Procedures/Process

  • CU Boulder Emergency Operations Plan

State of Colorado

  • Colorado Disaster Emergency Act (C.R.S. 24-33.5-700)
  • Colorado State Emergency Operations Plan

Federal

  • 93-288, Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended by Public Law 100-707, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
  • National Response Framework Homeland Security Act and Information Sharing Act
  • Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, Management of Domestic Incidents
  • Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8, National Preparedness

Effective Date

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Approved By

Philip P. DiStefano, Chancellor

Owner

Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Safety