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Faculty & Staff
Monroe County

 

 

 
TYPICAL EMERGENCIES

Defining an Emergency

  • Fatal or critical accidents, injuries or illnesses occurring on University premises, involving employees, students or visitors – however they occur
  • University-related transportation accidents involving hazardous materials or major property damage.
  • Reports of acute illnesses involving persons or animals, arising from chemical or biological emissions or exposures on University premises.
  • Reports of acute illnesses or injuries arising from the consumption or use of any product, purchased, sold or distributed by the University, or on University premises.
  • Major spills or emission of hazardous materials inside buildings on University premises to the extent that that the well-being of University community and/or the local community and/or the environment may be affected.
  • Natural disasters, including storms, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes.
  • Fires, Explosions, Bomb threats and Terrorist threats on and off campus.
  • Violence or rioting on or in close proximity to University premises.
  • Extended and or widespread utility interruptions with particular emphasis on how they affect class schedules, research projects, University residential facilities, or the ability of the University to continue normal operations.
  • Unauthorized work stoppages, boycotts or threatened boycotts of University sponsored events.

In addition to the above, any incident which has the potential for adverse publicity concerning campus resources, and/or instruments of the University, may be considered of sufficient gravity to activate elements of this Plan.

 

Situation Evaluation

The following conditions are taken into consideration when the EMG or the DEM assess the impact and response actions required. This list is not all inclusive and may includes other issues not listed here:

  • Nature of each threat and implications for the University
  • Empirical data and site specific observations
  • Most immediate effects and the most vulnerable areas/operations
  • Severity, potential impact and worst case scenarios
  • Appropriate internal and/or external responses
  • Health, safety, legal, personnel policies & local considerations
  • Impact on scheduled events, classes & community
  • Resources required to mitigate, control & recover
  • Sheltering/protection for students and employees
  • Damage mitigation strategies for tangible & intangible assets
  • Coordination with/among external agencies e.g. Monroe County OEM, Miami-Dade County agencies, etc.
  • Initiating, maintaining & monitoring contact with the media
  • Recovery, resumption and restoration strategies for:
    • Academic and research functions – space, equipment, utilities, etc.
    • Support functions and services
    • Student/employee safety, work conditions & morale
    • Facility safety and security
    • Operating effectiveness of academic and support units
    • Community resources, perceptions and expectations
 
Inclement Weather
Weather Condition
Potential Impact
Continuous Local Heavy Rainfall
  • Flooding of streets, lakes and some buildings
  • Vehicular and traffic patterns on campus affected
  • Travel to and from campus may be dangerous
  • Classes may need to be canceled
Tropical Storm
(33 – 73 mph)
  • Very little wind damage expected
  • Flooding possible from continuous rain
  • Thunderstorms, lightening and tornadoes possible
  • Travel may be dangerous
  • Classes may need to be canceled
Hurricane - Category 1
(74 – 95 mph)
  • Minimal wind damage expected
  • Flooding possible from continuous rain
  • Thunderstorms, lightening and tornadoes possible
  • Travel will be dangerous
  • Classes canceled as appropriate (UP, BBC & Broward)
  • Shelter may be open
Hurricane - Category 2
(96 – 110 mph)


  • Moderate wind damage expected
  • Flooding possible from continuous rain
  • Thunderstorms, lightening and tornadoes very likely
  • Travel will be very dangerous
  • University closes
  • Shelter will be open

Hurricane - Category 3, 4 & 5
(≥ 110mph)

  • Extreme wind damage expected
  • Flooding possible from continuous rain
  • Thunderstorms, lightening and tornadoes should be expected
  • Travel will be very dangerous
  • University closes
  • Shelter will be open
 
Fire
Incident
Potential Impact
Minor Fire
  • Building lighting, HVAC, possibly shut down
  • Some immediate danger
  • Some panic possible
  • Injuries and illness possible
  • Property damage from fire, smoke and water possible
  • University operations in the affected area may be shutdown
  • Access restricted to affected areas
  • Fire Watch may need to be posted
  • Area may need to be secured and civil authorities notified
Major Fire
  • See potential impact of MINOR FIRE
  • Long and short term health effects possible
  • Possible interruption of utility services and network communication in affected area
  • Some anxiety likely
  • May be University-wide distraction arising from occurrence
  • All University operations in the affected building/floor may be shutdown
  • Severe property damage from fire, smoke and water
  • Building contamination/smoke damage may prevent immediate re-occupancy
  • Extended period when building may not be available for occupancy
  • Emergency purchases/supplies/professional services may be required
  • Possible public relations nightmare
  • Alternate residential facilities/arrangements for resident
 
Utility Outage
Incident
Potential Impact
Short Duration:
10 to 30 MIN
  • Most lighting, HVAC and fume hoods shut down
  • Little immediate danger
  • University operations & events in the affected areas briefly interrupted
  • Possible rowdy behavior at events with large gathering of people
  • Occurrence close to end of work day may cause employees to leave
Moderate Duration:
30 MIN to 4 HOURS
  • Most lighting, HVAC and fume hoods shut down
  • Telephone and computer communications disabled
  • Little immediate danger
  • Some discomfort and annoyance likely
  • Fire detection, notification and suppression systems could be affected
  • University operations in the affected areas shutdown
  • Research assets could be jeopardized
  • Possible rowdy behavior at events with large gathering of people
  • Occurrence close to end of work day may cause employees to leave
  • Indoor events may need to be relocated outdoors or rescheduled
Extended Duration:
4+ HOURS
  • Most lighting, HVAC and fume hoods shut down
  • Telephone and computer communications disabled
  • Little immediate danger
  • Some discomfort and annoyance likely
  • Fire detection, notification and suppression systems could be affected
  • University operations in the affected areas shutdown
  • Research assets could be jeopardized
  • Food service operations may be interrupted
  • Indoor events and classes may need to be relocated outdoors or rescheduled
Notes:
  • The most critical and probably the most difficult factor to determine may be the expected duration of the interruption.
  • Generators are expected to supply power to some critical operations.
  • UPS units are expected to supply temporary power and electrical-spike suppression to central data centers.
 
Accidental Hazardous Material Release
Incident
Potential Impact

Chemical, Radiological or Biological Release - On Campus

  • Hysteria and general panic likely
  • Immediate fatalities and/or severe exposures possible
  • Injuries or illness possible
  • Psychological trauma
  • Property damage
  • Possible interruption of utility services
  • Environmental contamination
  • Facility may be shutdown
  • Some University activities suspended
  • Class schedules interrupted, may need to be relocated
  • Government authorities may assume Incident Command and may commandeer FIU resources
  • Employees/individuals may fail to cooperate as a result of their perception of the level of threat to their personal well being
  • Immediate and post occurrence scrutiny from regulatory agencies
  • Possible citation from regulatory agencies
  • Possible “black eye” in media
  • Possible law suits
Chemical, Radiological or Biological Release - Off Campus
  • Serious distraction, University activities may be affected
NOTES:
  • This response assumes that this is an accidental non-terrorist event.
  • If the release is outside (outdoors) on Campus, it is most likely a chemical release.
 
Sudden Death of an Employee or Student
Incident
Potential Impact
Death by Accident on the Job
  • High anxiety and emotional levels
  • Core University functions probably not directly affected
Death by "Unknown Illness"
  • High anxiety and emotional levels
  • Core University functions probably not directly affected
 
Criminal Activity on Campus or Campus Vicinity


To help prevent crimes or serious incidents on campus, the Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with other university departments, issue Campus Safety Alerts in a timely manner to notify the University community about certain crimes in and around our campus. Members of the community who know of a crime or other serious incident are encouraged to report the incident to the Department of Public Safety, in order, if warranted, to issue a Campus Safety Alert.

If members of the university community report crimes or serious incidents to other University administrators, those administrators will notify the Department of Public Safety and collaborate to issue a Campus Safety Alert.

The Department of Public Safety maintains a daily crime log that records, by the date the incident was reported. The crime log includes the nature, date, time and general location of each crime reported, as well as the disposition of the reported crime. The crime log is available for public inspection at the department's headquarters or at our website, www.fiu.edu/~univpol

Click any of the links below to review crime statistics:

 
Medical Emergencies
Incident
Potential Impact
Food or Chemical Poisoning / Epidemics
  • High anxiety levels and possibly panic
  • Fatalities possible
  • If the event is widespread, University operations may be paralyzed
  • Physical damage and utility disruptions unlikely
  • Environmental contamination possible
 
Wild Fire
Incident
Potential Impact
Wild Fire
  • High anxiety
  • Building content damage possible
  • Building structure damage possible
  • Multiple buildings may be affected
  • Utility disruptions possible
  • Injuries & fatalities unlikely but possible
  • Access to and from the University may be restricted
  • An evacuation may be required
  • Outdoor events/activities may have to be canceled
 
Terrorist Activity - Off Campus
Incident
Potential Impact
Bomb Threat or Detonation
  • High anxiety levels
  • Core University functions probably not directly affected
  • Some University activities/events may be directly affected
  • Possible interruption of utility services
  • Once the situation becomes known it may be difficult to conduct “business as usual” at the closest campus, or entire University may be “paralyzed”
  • Government authorities may commandeer FIU resources
  • Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement may be activated
Hazardous Chemical Exposure or Threat
  • High anxiety levels
  • Possible panic and psychosomatic responses to perceived chemical exposures
  • Core University functions probably not directly affected
  • Some University activities/events may be directly affected, possible utility services interruption
  • Once the situation becomes known it may be difficult to conduct “business as usual” at the closest campus, or entire University may be paralyzed
  • Government authorities may commandeer FIU resources
  • Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement may be activated
Biological or Radiological Exposure or Threat
  • High anxiety levels
  • Possible panic & psychosomatic responses to perceived exposures
  • Core University functions probably not directly affected
  • Some University activities/events may be directly affected
  • Possible interruption of utility services
  • Once the situation becomes known it may be difficult to conduct “business as usual” at the closest campus, or entire University may be paralyzed
  • Government authorities may commandeer FIU resources
  • Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement may be activated
Notes:
  • A bomb threat/detonation, chemical, biological or radiation release may directly impact a campus location even if the point of release is off-campus.
  • The occurrence may have a limited impact on a limited area, and students and employees could possibly be routed out of harm’s way - therefore, University operations, events and schedules may not be directly affected.
  • Longer term considerations include the possible relocation of resident students depending on the escalation of the threat
 
Terrorist Activity - On Campus
INCIDENT
Potential Impact

Bomb Detonation, Chemical, Radiological or Biological Agent Release On-Campus

  • Hysteria and general panic likely
  • Additional detonations or releases possible
  • Immediate fatalities and/or fatal exposures possible
  • Injuries or illness
  • Psychological trauma
  • Property damage
  • Utility interruption
  • Environmental contamination
  • University activities suspended
  • Class schedules interrupted
  • Government authorities may assume Incident Command and may commandeer FIU resources
  • Employees/individuals may fail to cooperate as a result of their perception of the level of threat to their personal well being
  • Immediate and post occurrence scrutiny from various government agencies
  • Possible law suits
  • Possible “black eye” in media
Water Contamination
  • Delayed recognition of threat may result in:
  • Panic
  • Illness and possibly death
  • Interruption of food service operations
  • University events and class schedules interrupted
Technological Assault
  • Network dependent functions may be paralyzed:
  • E-mail
  • Payroll
  • Registration
  • Purchasing
  • Distance Learning
  • Users of application software via the network unable to work
  • Data loss may result from file corruption
  • Possible utility failure
  • Loss of internal and external communication
  • High level of frustration and annoyance expected with delayed resumption
 
Civil Disturbance
Incident
Potential Impact
Violent Demonstration On-Campus
  • High levels of anxiety
  • Injuries possible
  • FIU & employees/students property damage possible
  • Some University classes/activities may be interrupted
  • Potential PR nightmare
  • Escalation may result in:
  • Fires
  • Traffic Interruption
  • Bomb Threats
Violent Demonstration Off-Campus
  • Distraction
  • Some University activities on and off campus may be affected
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The FIU Office of Emergency Management is based in the Public Safety Department.
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