PURPOSE
A. The purpose of this plan is to establish the legal and organizational basis for operations at Central Washington University (CWU) in response to disasters or other emergency situations.
B. Emergency preparedness and disaster response is everyone’s responsibility. An emergency is any event or condition that presents an imminent risk of death, serious injury or illness to the university community, suspension or significant disruption of university operations, significant physical damage as well as environmental damage, the creation of public relations issues if the incident is not handled properly, and/or significantly threatens the university’s financial well-being, reputation and the organization itself. 1. Rather than establish rigid parameters for qualifying an event as an “emergency,” this definition is intended to emphasize the actual and potential catastrophic effect, the imminent threat, and seriousness inherent to emergencies. 2. Other events may produce crisis or harmful effects, but an emergency is distinguished by the severity of the threat and its effects as well as the on-going threat posed to the university community. C. Goals are to (1) respond effectively and efficiently to any type of emergency or disaster, (2) protect students, staff, and visitors, (3) conserve university resources, (4) preserve vital services, and (5) recover and return to normal operations as soon as possible. D. In addition to response and recovery, the plan addresses hazard identification and mitigation, training of response personnel, and resource identification and utilization. It also: 1. Identifies authorities and assigns responsibilities for planning, response, and recovery activities. 2. Establishes a chain of command and communication structure when planning or responding to hazards. 3. Establishes the command structure that will manage the response, 4. Identifies those individuals, divisions, departments or units tasked with specific responsibility for carrying out the plans and operations. 5. Identifies available public and private sources of equipment and manpower which could be utilized. Identifies other jurisdictions and organizations with which planning and emergency response activities should be coordinated. SCOPE A. CWU, as an agency of the State of Washington, acknowledges its statutory responsibility to use its personnel and facilities, when necessary, to assist in any mission involving the general welfare and safety of others within the state. As part of its community role and obligations, CWU maintains a close and cooperative working relationship with the City of Ellensburg and Kittitas County. CWU is prepared to cooperate with the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division (EMD) to the maximum extent possible in an emergency situation. In instances of emergencies involving the university community, CWU reserves to the administration the right to take unilateral action to protect lives and property as necessary and expedient. B. This is an all-risk plan that considers emergencies and disasters that may affect the university, as described in Annex C, the Central Washington University Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Assessment (HIVA) and describes: 1. Functions and activities necessary to implement the four phases of emergency management–mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. 2. Responsibilities of the various university departments and resources, as well as certain key individuals, in carrying out the activities described in the plan. 3. Use of university, government, private sector, and volunteer resources.
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