34.07.99.X1 CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Approved: September 27, 2002
Supplements: System Policy 34.07, Crisis Management

1.01 Crisis management plans provide a set of predetermined actions for responding to situations such as fire, tornado, hurricane, bomb threat, work-place violence, chemical spills, and other crises or disasters which require the orderly management of resources and processes to protect life and property. It is therefore imperative that crisis management plans be established and maintained for all units.

1.02 On-campus units will follow the Texas A&M University Crisis Management Plan. Training for on-campus units will be the same as off-campus units in accordance with paragraph 2.02F. Evacuation drills should be done in conjunction with the drill for the other occupants of the building (if any) under the supervision of the Texas A&M University Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

1.03 Off-campus locations will develop their own management plans in accordance with the guidelines contained herein. The Texas A&M AgriLfie (AgriLife) Human Resources Office and the AgriLife/Texas AgriLife Extension Service (Extension) safety coordinator are available to assist units as they establish and update these plans.

Written plans will be dated and will address at least the following elements:

2.01 A Prevention Plan to address the following areas:

A. Identify potential hazards through inspections and/or evaluations of facilities, grounds, collateral properties, and general activities at the unit; then, develop a plan to aid in reducing potential disasters from these elements. (Examples: chemical storage /handling, flammable storage, etc.)

B. Identify potential incidents at your location which would dictate the need to evacuate the building or seek shelter. (Examples: fire, bomb threat, chemical spill, gas leak, work-place violence, tornado, hurricane, etc.) Examine the suitability of building shelters, or areas to which individuals will be evacuated so as to minimize danger to individuals.

2.02 A Preparedness plan which addresses the following:

A. Individual responsible for the overall unit crisis management plan and the individual (s) responsible for:

1. Implementing the crisis management plan.

2. Contacting the emergency responders if necessary. (Example: The receptionist will evacuate the building then will call 9-1-1 [or 9-9-1-1, or other phone number as appropriate] from a safe location.)

3. Assisting visitors and occupants with special needs. (Example: The immediate supervisor or host of any visitor or person with special needs is responsible to ensure the safe evacuation or sheltering of this person.)

4. Determining when it is safe to re-enter the building or leave the shelter location. (Example: No one will re-enter the building until the fire department [or resident director, district extension director, unit safety officer, etc] indicates that it is safe. Or: The resident director/safety coordinator will contact the police department [or fire department, weather bureau, radio station, etc.] and verify that the danger has passed the area. He/she will then notify the sheltered personnel it is safe to vacate the shelter. In the event that proper authorities cannot be contacted, the resident director/safety coordinator will make the determination as to the relative safety of the situation and will instruct the sheltered personnel to remain/vacate the shelter.)

B. Methods used to notify the building occupants to evacuate or seek shelter. (Examples: loud speaker, verbal notification, alarm, whistle, rotating lights, etc.) Also, include how to differentiate between evacuation and seek shelter notifications.

C. A listing of the agencies or emergency response units that are available, their telephone numbers, and alternate means of contact if available. (Example: Crowley Volunteer Fire Department, dial 911, or send a runner to [location]).

D. Locations for building occupants to gather upon evacuation or locations of emergency shelter. (Example: Employees will gather near the greenhouse if the wind is out of the West for a head count to determine if anyone is missing. If anyone is missing, the safety officer will immediately notify the emergency responders. [ Note: this should be at least 200 feet from the building, and up wind where practical] , Or; The center restroom, hallway, storage room, etc.)

E. Prepare and include evacuation plan diagram(s) indicating the various directions to the exits of buildings and locations to gather for evacuations, plus locations and directions to the shelter areas in each building (if the building has an area which can be used as a safe shelter.) Copies of these diagrams will be included in the plan and will be posted on appropriate bulletin boards or other locations accessible to all occupants.

F. Training of individuals so that they are ready to react effectively once an emergency has occurred and the crisis management plan has been activated.

1. Initial training, to include providing the employee a copy of the plan, should be conducted during the course of a new employee’s orientation with the unit.

2. When the plan has been changed, employee training will consist, at a minimum, of ensuring all employees are notified of the changes to the plan and distribution of a copy of the plan to all employees.

3. Continuation training through annual evacuation drills to verify the viability of the plan and to familiarize the employees with the plan. This should be done in cooperation with the local fire department. An evacuation drill checklist should be developed and kept on file to assist with this effort.

G. Distribute copies to the potential emergency responders such as the local fire department, police department, etc.

2.03 Response Plan to include:

A. Indicate at what stage of the crisis, disaster, or emergency, the crisis management plan will be implemented. (Example:, when the tornado sirens are activated, or a radio announcement of a tornado, or an employee has visual contact with a tornado, the Resident Director will implement the crisis management sheltering plan.)

B. Directions to contact the appropriate local agencies or emergency responders for assistance. (Example: The receptionist will evacuate the building then will call 9-1-1 [or 9-9-1-1, or other phone number as appropriate] from a safe location.)

C. Ensure that visitors, contractors, and other individuals who are at the location are included in any notifications.

D. State the methods for determining when the crisis has ended and it is safe to re-occupy the building or leave the shelter area. (Example: No one will re-enter the building until the fire department [or resident director, district extension director, unit safety officer, etc] indicates that it is safe. Or: The resident director/safety coordinator will contact the police department [or fire department, weather bureau, radio station, etc.] and verify that the danger has passed the area. He/she will then notify the sheltered personnel it is safe to vacate the shelter. In the event that proper authorities cannot be contacted, the resident director/safety coordinator will make the determination as to the relative safety of the situation and will instruct the sheltered personnel to remain/vacate the shelter.)

2.04 Recovery plan to include:

A. Following any major crisis/disaster, the AgriLife Human Resources Office will attempt to assist or coordinate assistance for units in any way possible as they seek to aid personnel with care, counseling, or other employee assistance needs within the capabilities of the office.

B. Following a crisis or disaster that required implementation of the crisis management plan, review all procedures and modify the plan as necessary to address problems of deficiencies that have been identified.

All locations not using the approved Texas A&M University Crisis Management plan will submit their crisis management plans, and revisions thereto, to the director for review. Following this review, the plans will be submitted to the Chancellor for approval.

4.01 Release of information to the public may be requested by media or other persons following incidents of the type which require the implementation of the unit crisis management plan. Employees shall refer all such requests to the designated Officer for Public Information, as indicated below:

A. At off-campus units, the resident director, district extension director, or the designated representative.

B. On campus, refer all such requests to the director.

4.02 As soon as practical, units will notify the director, the AgriLife Human Resources Office, and the AgriLifel Communications Office. The AgriLife Communications Office will coordinate information with The Texas A&M System Director of Communications.

4.03 For other than natural disasters, information is not to be released until an investigation has been completed.

4.04 Under no circumstance will information concerning names of persons deceased, injured, or held hostage be released without first ascertaining that full notification of next of kin (or person designated to be notified in the event of an emergency) has been made. Information that all personnel at the location are safe and accounted for may be released as soon as that has been determined.

Units will review their crisis management plans at least annually, or upon completion of additions/modifications to facilities.