Regulations & Policies

Administration and Finance

I. OBJECTIVE & SCOPE

This policy establishes a unified framework for emergency management across university-owned or controlled locations; ensuring preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for all hazards by identifying particular responsibilities and assigning them to University personnel and business units. It applies to all faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers, and visitors at University facilities and sites.

II. DEFINITIONS

1. Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP): The University’s official all-hazards plan outlining strategies, responsibilities, and procedures for emergency operations.
2. Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP): A departmental or unit-level plan, developed in coordination with the CEMP, that ensures essential functions continue during and after a disruption. May include alternate site operations for mission-critical tasks.
3. Continuity of Instruction Plan (COIP): A departmental or unit-level plan that ensures the continued delivery of academic instruction during and after a disruption.
4. Crisis Management Team (CMT): A designated leadership team that provides strategic oversight of the University Emergency Management program.
5. Disaster: A severe emergency that overwhelms University resources and requires external assistance or long-term recovery efforts.
6. Emergency: Any incident, whether natural, technological, or human-caused, that poses an immediate threat to life, property, or operations and requires urgent response.
7. Emergency Management: The coordinated process of preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating the impacts of Emergencies and Disasters.
8. Emergency Operations Center (EOC): The centralized facility activated during Emergencies to coordinate response efforts, resources, and communications.
9. Executive Policy Group (EPG): A designated leadership team on the Incident Management Team that provides strategic oversight and decision-making during Emergencies.
10. Incident Command System (ICS): A component of NIMS that provides a hierarchical structure for managing emergency response operations.
11. Incident Management Team (IMT): The multidisciplinary group responsible for implementing emergency plans and managing incident response.
12. Mass Notification System: The technology platform used to rapidly disseminate emergency alerts and instructions to the university community.
13. Mitigation: Actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards.
14. National Incident Management System (NIMS): A standardized framework developed by FEMA for managing incidents across jurisdictions and disciplines.
15. Preparedness: Planning, training, and exercising to ensure readiness for potential Emergencies.
16. Response: Immediate actions taken to protect life and property during an Emergency.
17. Recovery: Efforts to restore normal operations and repair damage following an Emergency or Disaster.

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

The University affirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding life, property, and the continuity of academic and administrative operations through a robust and integrated emergency management program. This policy establishes the foundation for a proactive and coordinated approach to emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation across all University operations.

Emergency management is not solely the responsibility of a single department—it is a shared institutional priority. To promote a unified approach to emergency management, the University will:

1. Develop and maintain a CEMP that outlines strategic and tactical procedures for responding to a wide range of hazards.
2. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
3. Promote a culture of preparedness through training, exercises, outreach, and departmental COOP development.
4. Establish clear roles and responsibilities for leadership, response teams, and community members.
5. Leverage technology and partnerships to enhance emergency communications and coordination.
6. Commit to continuous improvement through plan reviews, after-action reports, and lessons learned.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES

1. University President
   1. Declares campus states of emergency
   2. Authorizes campus closures
   3. Ensures compliance with emergency management laws
   4. Delegates program oversight to designated executives
   5. Assigns other duties as deemed necessary
2. Crisis Management Team (CMT)
   1. Provides strategic direction to the emergency management program
   2. Communicates with the university community, agencies and officials
3. Incident Management Team (IMT)
   1. Utilizes NIMS and ICS principles
   2. Activates the EOC as needed
   3. Executes emergency plans
   4. Coordinates with external agencies and suppliers for disaster response
   5. Receives direction as needed from the Executive Policy Group
4. Department of Emergency Management
   1. Develops and maintains the CEMP
   2. Coordinates COOP development and updates
   3. Leads training, exercises, and outreach
   4. Ensures regulatory compliance
5. Campus Leadership & Units
   1. Develop and maintain COOP’s and COIP’s consistent with the CEMP
   2. Participate in emergency training and exercises
   3. Maintain readiness and support emergency operations
6. University Police Department (UPD)
   1. Serves as the lead agency for law enforcement and public safety during emergencies
   2. Coordinates with external law enforcement agencies
   3. Supports evacuation, lockdown, and perimeter control
   4. Participates in emergency planning and exercises
   5. Provides threat assessments and situational intelligence
   6. Ensures continuity of law enforcement services during disruptions
7. Building Emergency Coordinators (BECs)
   1. Participate in emergency training and exercises
   2. Participate in testing of the mass notification systems
   3. Facilitate the safe evacuation of occupants from buildings when safe to do so
   4. Assist the IMT in support and recovery operations
8. University Community
   1. Complete safety training for all faculty, staff and students, as assigned
   2. Report suspicious activity or emergencies promptly to UPD
   3. Follow emergency protocols and procedures
   4. Assist others during emergencies within personal capacity

V. AUTHORITY

1. Chapters 1001 and 252, Florida Statutes
2. 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq., The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
3. Public Law 110-315, The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA)
4. Florida Board of Governors Regulation 3.001

History: New January 20, 2026.

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