UPPS 05.04.03 - Emergency Management Operations

POLICY STATEMENT

Texas State University is committed to the safety of the university community.

1. SCOPE

   1. This policy outlines the actions required for planning for and managing emergencies and incidents at Texas State University.

   2. This policy:

      1. establishes university personnel and resources involved in emergency planning; and

      2. outlines the process for activation of the emergency operations center (EOC).

2. COMPOSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

   1. The Emergency Management Committee (EMC) is a standing committee chaired by the director of the Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency Management Department (EHSREM).

      1. The EMC provides advice on the program overseen by the Emergency Management division of EHSREM.

      2. Individual members of the EMC will assist EHSREM in developing portions of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) specific to their areas of responsibility or expertise.

   2. The Emergency Manager (EM) will develop and review the university’s EOP annually. The EOP will provide the structure and processes Texas State uses to respond to and recover from an event/incident. The EOP will address prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery procedures.

3. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

   1. The director of EHSREM, or designee, will manage the EOC. Designees include the EM, the Emergency Management Specialist, or the Fire Marshal. In the absence of the director, or designee, during an event or incident, the University Policy Department (UPD) Chief will assume management of the EOC until the director or designee arrives/is available.

   2. Depending on the type of incident or event and prevailing conditions, the EOC may be established in person, virtually, or a combination of the two. The primary physical location will be used for most events/incidents, but other locations may be utilized depending on conditions and circumstances.

   3. Staffing of the EOC will depend on the type and nature of the incident or event as well as availability. The EOC has the authority to utilize Texas State property and may commit university resources to assist in emergency operations, including those occurring off-campus.

   4. The director of EHSREM, or designee, will activate the EOC when the EOP is activated, at the request of the UPD Chief, or when informed of an event or incident that requires or potentially requires emergency management oversight.

   5. Activation of the EOC may occur in response to an imminent or ongoing emergency or planned event.

   6. The EM will test university emergency notification systems periodically to ensure functionality and maintain documentation of the tests as required by law.

4. PROCEDURES FOR THE EVALUATION AND REPORTING OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

   1. Upon the completion of a non-planned EOC activation, a debriefing will be held to discuss what went well and what needs improvement as well as any immediate follow-up actions.

   2. The EM will prepare an After-Action Report for all emergency operations for review and follow up by all pertinent departments or entities.

5. REVIEWERS OF THIS UPPS

   1. Reviewers of this UPPS include the following:

      Position	Date
      Director, Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency Management	Sept 1 E5Y
      Emergency Manager	Sept 1 E5Y
      Director, University Police Department	Sept 1 E5Y

6. CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

   This UPPS has been approved by the following individuals in their official capacities and represents Texas State policy and procedure from the date of this document until superseded.

   Director, Environmental, Health, Safety, Risk and Emergency Management

   Executive Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer

   President