09:22:00 Emergency Notification

PURPOSE

This general order is to establish policy relative to the selection of the emergency notification procedure to utilize based upon the type of threat or situation.

POLICY

It is the policy of Walters State Community College that in all situations where there is confirmation of an impending, immediate, or on-going danger, threat or health hazard that College officials will, without delay and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the emergency alert message and initiate the emergency message system. However, if doing so will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency, an alternative course of action will be identified. 

Confirmation means that an institutional official or an official has/have verified that a legitimate emergency or dangerous situation exists.  Confirmation does not necessarily mean that all of the pertinent details are known or even available.

Campus Police, College emergency response team members, College emergency response management team members, to include members of the executive policy group, have express authority from the president of the College to activate, or to have activated, the Emergency Message System.

DECIDING TO ISSUE AN EMERGENCY MESSAGE NOTIFICATION

The decision to issue an emergency message notification will be decided on a case-by-case basis based upon criteria related to the type of threat, danger, emergency or health hazard. Updates will be provided at approximately 20 to 30 minute intervals unless doing so would compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to or otherwise mitigate the emergency. 

The ultimate decision to evacuate, relocate, lockdown or close the institution rests with the president of the College when time allows for consultation. However, when time does not permit consultation with the president for a decision, members of the College Emergency Response Team are to immediately and without delay initiate the emergency response plan for the campus or building affected. 

When an incident is impending, conditions are such that a significant threat, danger, emergency, or health hazard is within close proximity of the campus and could reasonably be expected to cause death, serious physical harm, or damage.The following elements should exist:

1. A significant threat or danger is approaching campus or is occurring near campus properties that could cause serious physical harm or death to students, staff or visitors.
2. A significant threat or health hazard is occurring on or near campus properties that could result in severe incapacitation or death to students, staff or visitors.
3. A significant weather hazard exists that would directly impact campus properties.

In situations of impending threat, danger, emergency or health hazard, the possibility exists of consulting with appropriate College Emergency Response Management Team (CERMT) or Executive Policy Group (EPG) authorities for further decision making. Campus Police officers and building and floor coordinators may be the first in the field to become aware of information concerning dangerous or threatening situations. College police staff will consult with local emergency agencies and the executive policy group; it may be determined that a significant threat, danger, emergency or health hazard is not immediately impacting campus properties and may warrant further assessment before a decision is made.The Campus Police officer or other designated College official will relate as much information on the impending threat, danger, emergency, or health hazard to CERMT or EPG as possible. Campus Police will consult with local emergency agencies and the executive policy group. This communication will occur as swiftly as possible. Campus Police and/or the executive policy group, or both will assess information received, as quickly as possible to determine validity and confirmation that campus occupants and properties may be directly affected.

Once confirmation of a valid threat is received from local emergency agencies, the executive policy group without delay will authorize Campus Police or other designated College staff to activate the timely warning or emergency alert. Once authorization is given to issue the emergency notification, Campus Police, or other designated College staff, will immediately activate the emergency message systems.  Methods of notification and personnel authorized to activate emergency notification systems are listed in Table 6.

ON-GOING EMERGENCY