Table of Contents
- Purpose
- Assumptions
- Mission
- Emergency Levels
- University Incident Command System and Coordinator
- Roles
- Communications
A. Purpose
The purpose of Eastern New Mexico University’s Management Plan (EMP) is to establish guidelines, assign responsibilities, and promote awareness in responding to emergencies that may affect the ENMU community. The Plan also provides guidelines for coordination with external entities and for expediting the return to normal operations. This plan was created to complement plan developed on the state, county, and city level. University emergency response and recovery operations are also defined in the University’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
Each university organizational unit (the various departments, organizational groups, divisions or other defined infrastructure entities of the University) has developed an Organizational Unit Plan for emergency situations. An Emergency Response Plan for Faculty and Staff is presented in Attachment A and Emergency Procedures for Students in presented in Attachment B.
B. Assumptions
Eastern New Mexico University’s Emergency Management Plan is designed to be flexible to accommodate various contingencies. The following assumptions are presented as general guides in an emergency.
- An emergency or a disaster may occur without warning, at any time of the day, night, weekend, or holiday.
- The succession of events in an emergency or disaster is not predictable; published operational guidelines should serve only as a guide and checklist; they ay require modifications to meet the emergency situation.
- A major emergency or disaster may be declared if the information indicates that such conditions are developing or probable.
- Community – wide disasters may affect the entire University and the city of Portales. City and county emergency services may not be available to assist for some time. The more severe the disaster, the more the University will be left to care for its own students, staff, and facilities. Therefore, the University must be prepared to handle certain emergencies on its own for extended periods of time.
C. Mission
The University will respond to an emergency situation in a safe, effective and timely manner. University personnel and equipment will be utilized to accomplish the following priorities:
| Priority I: | Protect Human Life, Health, and Safety. |
| Priority II: | Protect University Assets and Facilities, and Minimize Damage to Facilities and Resources. |
| Priority III: | Maintain University Services to the Extent Possible, especially Communications. |
| Priority IV: | Assess Damages. |
| Priority V: | Restore General University Operations. |
D. Emergency Levels
ENMU’s Emergency Management Plan provides guidelines for responding to emergencies and disasters. Not all incidents require the same degree of response. And each should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Level 1 BLUE (Minor Emergency) – A University emergency with limited impact that does not affect the overall operation and function of the University. Examples include a minor hazardous material incident, small fire, or temporary, limited power outage. A minor emergency will not normally entail notification of the Emergency Management Group except through routine communications.
Level 2 ORANGE (Major Emergency) – A local emergency that has disrupted or potentially may disrupt significant operations of the University or adversely impact a major population of the community. Examples include serious crimes, major fires, or partial infrastructure failure.
Level 3 RED (Disaster) – A community-wide emergency that potentially disrupts the operations of the University and involves major damage or systems failure. Disasters impact the University and surrounding community. Examples include tornadoes, widespread and extended power outage, severe natural disaster, or acts of terrorism
E. University Incident Command System and Coordinator
The Emergency Management Plan operates under the “Incident Command System” – a system utilized by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and other organizations. Under this system a single Incident Coordinator directs all University resources. Although the University Incident Coordinator (University President or Designee) may consult with other individuals, it is imperative that all employees follow the decisions made by the University Incident Coordinator or his/her designee in the chain-command. The University Incident Coordinator (University President or designee) is the highest available individual on the following list:
- President or designee
- Vice President for University Relations and Enrollment Services
- Executive Director for Planning and Analysis
- Vice President for Student Affairs
- Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Vice President for Business Affairs
- University Police Chief or University Police
It should be noted that, in the event of certain emergencies or disasters, the University Incident Coordinator (University President or designee) will relinquish command to civil authorities, as required by law.
The University Incident Coordinator (university President or designee) is assisted by the Emergency Management Group, which shall determine the institution’s policy (strategic decisions) for emergency situations. The Emergency Management Group consists of the President’s Core Staff (president and senior administrators).
Role of the President
This plan is under the authority of the President of the University. All decisions concerning the discontinuation of university function, cancellation of classes, or halting of operations, rest with the President or designee. After consulting with the University Incident Commander and the Emergency Management Group, the President shall be responsible for declaring a major institutional emergency.
Role of the University Incident Commander
The University Incident Commander is a senior member of the Emergency Management Group and is in charge of the Incident Response Team. The Universtiy Incident Commander is the individual responsible for the command and control of all aspects of an emergency situation.
Role of the Emergency Management Plan Coordinator
The Emergency Management Plan Coordinator is a member of the Incident Response Team who is responsible for the maintenance of the Emergency Management Plan. The Emergency Management Plan Coordinator consults directly with the University Incident Commander during an actual emergency.
Role of Faculty and Staff
Faculty members are seen as leaders by students and should be prepared to direct their students to designated areas in the event of an emergency and account for every student. Every member of the Faculty and Staff should read and be familiar with applicable emergency plans and familiarize themselves with emergency procedures and evacuation routes. Faculty and Staff must be prepared to assess situations quickly but thoroughly, and use commonsense in determining a course of action.
All Faculty and Staff are responsible for securing their work areas. Work areas need to be secured in advance of certain weather systems (winter storms, floods, etc.).
Role of Students
Every student should familiarize themselves with the emergency procedures and evacuation routes in buildings in which they live or use frequently. Students should be prepared to assess situations quickly but thoroughly, and use commonsense in determining a course of action. They should evacute to designated areas in an orderly manner when directed to do so by emergency personnel or when an alarm sounds.
Plan Activation
In case of any type of university emergency, individuals making the discovery should first move to a safe location and then contact University Police. The Chief of University Police or officer on duty should follow standard operating procedures and contact Civil Authorities (Emergency Services, Fire, etc.), as necessary.
If the emergency warrants, the Police Officer shall communicate immediately with the University Incident Coordinator (University President or designee). The University Incident Coordinator (University President or designee) will assess the situation and direct University Police to contact the necessary University personnel required to contain and control the emergency. During a crisis situation, members of the Emergency Management Plan should be prepared to report to the Emergency Operations Center or other location, as directed.
Media Communications
Communication procedures and authorities are detailed in the Continuity of Operations Plan and in the University Relations plan. The individuals designated in these plans are the only individual authorized to speak with the news media. A statement will be pre-written so that departments can relate the same information.
University Communications
Every effort to keep the university community informed of emergency or disaster alers, warnings or declarations shall be used, including telephone, text messaging, voice mail, email, and University web pages. These communications will be disseminated by University Relations or the University President.
Communications with parents and Relatives
Communication procedures and authorities are detailed in the Continuity of Operations Plan and in the University Relations Plan. The individuals designated in these plans are the only individuals authorized to communicate with parents and relatives of students.
Information
For emergency information regarding events that are affecting or may impact normal University operations, contact the emergency hotline (575)562-4636 or visit the University website (www.enmu.edu) and click on EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
Other ways of distributing information include, text messaging, voice mail, email, and University web pages.
Note: Some sections and appendices are confidential and are not available to the public, as they contain information that is restricted (such as home telephone numbers, vulnerabilities, etc.).