UW Trustees Discuss Campus Emergency Response Plan

November 18, 2010

 An updated Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that stresses the University of Wyoming's procedures and commitment to safety practices was presented today (Thursday) to the UW Board of Trustees.

The university's ERP is a basic guide for providing a response system to UW faculty, staff and students for major emergencies that may threaten the health and safety of the campus community, Mark Collins, UW associate vice president for administration, told trustees.

UW's first ERP was developed in fall 2004 and has been continually updated.

"The ERP outlines preparedness, response and recovery action for any type of hazardous incident or emergency condition," Collins says. "It specifically identifies departments and individuals responsible for emergency response and critical support services."

Collins says UW's ERP has been updated to fully incorporate two important emergency response management structures as recommended by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) -- the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command Structure (ICS).

"Both systems allows for a uniform framework for responding to any emergency and also as an organized command structure and consolidated action plans," he adds.

UW's ERP is part of a broader safety initiative to include a stronger security presence on campus, safety-related infrastructure improvements, enhanced communications and an improved risk management approach to campus operations.

The ERP also details locations of emergency operations centers located on campus and the University's crisis communications plan.

This past June, UW hosted NIMS/ICS training for 60 campus administrators and public safety officials in the community. FEMA officials recognized the University for its emergency planning efforts and ERP document.

Because emergency plans need to be continually updated and revised, UW's administration will keep trustees apprised of any pertinent changes to the ERP.

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