Emergency Management Committee
Function
The Emergency Management Committee (EMC) will analyze the plans designed to respond to emergencies and evaluate their effectiveness for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery at Stephen F. Austin State University. Scope of Authority
The purview of the Committee is limited to matters that pertain to emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
Responsibilities
The Committee is responsible for:
- Continuously analyzing all risks which expose the University to the potential disruption of its activities, including risks that are natural and manmade.
- Overseeing the development of emergency preparedness and response plans in response to the risks identified.
- Presenting university-wide emergency response plans to the VP for University Affairs (VPUA) for approval and further presentation to the Executive Group for approval to implement.
- Overseeing the development of emergency response plans for operational units, and for ensuring they align with the university-wide plan.
- Facilitating communication of the emergency response plan through updates to the appropriate website and written materials as needed.
- Designing and conducting two internal disaster drills per year, with one of the drills to include participation by external emergency response agencies.
- Developing training materials and facilitating the appropriate training.
- Creating performance measurements, specifically for, but not limited to: Response to emergencies and drills; frequency of emergencies and failures; and communications.
- Serving as the University's emergency response team, managing the university's response to an emergency.
- Annual review of existing emergency management plans and related policies and procedures, with changes to be recommended to the VPUA for approval and further presentation to the Executive Group.
- Recording minutes and distributing them to its membership.
Reporting Structure
The Committee reports through its Chairperson to the VPUA on all matters related to its charge. The VPUA represents, and serves as the liaison to the Executive Group (senior officers) of the university. The overall authority and responsibility for the emergency management plan rest with the Executive Group, which provides support and direction to the Committee. The Chairperson of the EMC will be appointed by the VPUA.
Committee Chair
Marc Cossich - Executive Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator
Representation on Committee
The following departments will be represented on the Emergency Management Committee:
- University Police
- Physical Plant
- Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management
- Student Affairs
- Student Services / Residence Life
- Athletics Information
- Technology Services / Telecommunications
- University Marketing Communications
- Charter/Lab School
- Faculty Representation
- Other departments as needed
- Additional ad-hoc consultants (i.e. legal, consultants)
The representative from each unit should be a key administrator for the operational area, thereby facilitating timely decisions. Due to the number of operational areas represented, each area is limited to one representative, with one alternate to attend when the regular representative is not available.
Meeting Schedule
The Emergency Management Committee will hold regular monthly meetings, and may meet more often if needed.
Related Policy
(13.8) Emergency Operations Plan