Meridian West Central College
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Scope: The purpose of the Emergency Management Response Plan (EMRP) at the College is to provide a standard operational guideline to define the functions, responses, and actions to be implemented for specific emergency and disaster events impacting the operation of the College campus. The sole intent of the guideline is to create a response minimizing any potential negative impact of an event on the operations of College activities and ensuring the safety and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and visitors on MWCC campus and property.
Contents: The Emergency Management Response Plan (EMRP) includes the following components:
Organization: The structure of the college EMRP promotes efficient, effective, and immediate decision making and rapid and competent response to an emergency or disaster event that could negatively impact any person, MWCC operation and/or property. As a small college, the EMRP organizational structure is at the Executive Leadership Level which consists of the Administrators, the College Dean and the Campus Coordinator, who for now act as the Emergency Response Personnel (ERP).
The Emergency Response Personnel (ERP): The ERP are responsible for implementing the decisions of the Emergency Management Leadership and for initiating actions required on the scene during actual emergencies to ensure the safety and welfare of all persons on MWCC property and to protect the property and assets of the College. Additionally, the College Emergency Management Director (CEMD): is designated by the College President and is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the College’s Emergency Management Plans.
Granted that these operational units are critical to the college. However, these units are accomplished online and mostly carried out and done virtually. The Critical Operational Units of the college consists of the following:
Communications: Accurate and immediate communications using a variety of methods, including social media are an essential component of effectively managing emergency events. Oftentimes, a lack of information disseminated during emergencies leads to unnecessary stress and panic of those impacted by emergency situations. At the onset and throughout an emergency event, the college Administrators will work with the Information Technology personnel to announce via Web and Social Media to ensure timely, accurate and appropriate information is electronically disseminated to persons directly impacted by the emergency. The IT personnel will also ensure communication is immediately available to the College’s Emergency Response Personnel (ERP) on scene to manage and respond to any inquiries as necessary.
Sheltering Plan: The College facility campus is currently not approved for use as a public sheltering location and will not be used for sheltering citizens during storms or other disasters. However, the college proper assessments of its building integrity ensuring that is rated to safely withstand category 4 and above storm events, and the appropriate ability to provide generated basic power to operate lights and air conditioning from a backup generator. Possible Threats to the College:
Level 1 Emergency, Minor: Denoted by a "Yellow Global Alert" on the website, a Level 1 Emergency is considered a minor event and is typically localized to a specific and confined area within a campus. Existing emergency plans will effectively address the majority of level 1 events which will be managed by the Campus staff. Examples include a person who sustained moderate injuries or a small, contained, localized fire. Campus staff shall ensure that an incident report is completed following the event as soon as possible and forwarded to the Administrators.
Level 2 Emergency, Major: Denoted by a "Red Emergency Global Alert" on the website, a Level 2 Emergency is considered a major event and will impact an entire building or endanger the life of a person. In cases of a Level 2 Emergency, the Administrators will be immediately notified by Campus staff. He/She will determine who needs to be notified and what degree the EMRP must be initiated. Examples of a Level 2 Emergency would include a larger, uncontained fire limited to a single facility and any other significant incident where 911 services have an active operation on campus.
Level 3 Emergency, Catastrophic: Denoted by a "Purple Emergency Global Alert" on the website, a Level 3 Emergency is considered a potential catastrophic event and will most likely impact the entire operation of the campus. In cases of a Level 3 Emergency, the EMRP will be activated in its entirety and modified as necessary by the Executive Leadership. Examples of a Level 3 Emergency would include a projected hurricane strike possibly impacting Sarasota-Bradenton-Manatee County, an uncontrolled fire of two or more buildings within the complex, or a confirmed active shooter.
Emergency Notification System: The College provides emergency notification to alert faculty, staff, and students. The Campus Coordinator staff can activate the emergency notification system. The College’s Emergency Management Administrators will notify college personnel of Campus Emergency Closures. The closing of the campus is an extremely serious matter, and the Executive Leadership Group must consider many aspects and ramifications that will occur when the College or campus is closed. When a decision is made to close the College or the campus, these steps will be in effect:
Power Outages
The Campus Coordinator staff will assess the extent of the power outage including
area affected and estimated repair times and will confer with the Chief Executive
Administrative Officer, Academic & Student Affairs/Chief Learning Officer, and
Dean of Academic Affairs to determine extent of necessary closure. The recommendation
will be presented to Administrators who will authorize the closure of the entire
campus if necessary.
Potential Hurricane/Tropical Storm Events
The Executive Leadership Group will be assembled via a zoom meeting to review
the predicted path of storm events to determine if the closure of the campus is
necessary. Considerations will be given to close campus early enough to allow
students, staff and faculty the opportunity to prepare their own homes for the
storm event and evacuate as necessary. The College President will make the final
decisions as to when campus will be closed and when they will reopen.
Immediate threats to Life Safety
In addition to the College President, other MWCC Administrators also have the
authority to close all or part of the campus if danger is immediately imminent
and no available time exists to seek presidential approval.
A building evacuation is initiated when a dangerous condition impacts the safety of the campus building. Some examples requiring building evacuations include suspicious packages, bomb threats, fires, explosions, or hazardous materials exposure. The College President/Emergency Management Director (or designee) may only authorize building Evacuations.
In cases of an immediate threat to life and property (such as an active fire), any person acting in good faith may activate a fire alarm to initiate a building evacuation. It is important in cases of external threats (such as an active shooter) that building is placed in lockdown status versus evacuated as evacuating persons could expose them to the threat.
Evacuating personnel will be directed to a pre-determined evacuation area by Security, law enforcement or fire rescue personnel. These pre-determined areas shall not be disclosed to anyone external to the team or ERP in advance to ensure protection of evacuees from secondary threats. The Administrators maintained the evacuation list of locations and shall not be released to the public. Evacuees should not be restricted from leaving the property unless legally detained for law enforcement purposes. However, evacuees leaving a designated evacuation point could pose a threat to personal safety (i.e. as a result of exposure to chemicals, smoke, and/or terrorism).
The order to return individuals to the evacuated building will generally require coordination with law enforcement or fire officials and may only be authorized by the College President. A Lockdown is initiated when an imminent or possible threat of violence exists on or close to campus and the affected campus community will be safer by locking personnel and/or students in rooms within campus building instead of issuing an evacuation order. In addition to protecting life. Lockdowns allow law enforcement officers the ability to identify and engage the threat more easily. Persons will be released from lockdown status when First Responders determine the threat has been cleared. The rescinding of evacuation orders will be announced by the use of the multi-media emergency notification system utilizing a variety of communication methods to include emails, text messaging, cell phone notification and the use of local radio and television stations.
The Standard Operating Guidelines provide general guidelines regarding communications, lockdowns and building evacuations. In any situation requiring an emergency response from police, ambulance or fire, persons are directed to immediately call 911 first so that resources can be quickly dispatched. Callers should be prepared to give 911 operators the precise campus location (floor and room number) of the incident. All faculty and staff should be familiar with the Campus Security contact number, which is posted in every floor and other areas deemed necessary for instant awareness.
Meridian West Central College operates an emergency notification procedures to alert faculty, staff, and students. The emergency notification is activated by the Executive Leadership Group, ELG. The College’s Emergency Management Coordinator notifies the nature of the event and the type of message needing to be broadcasted. That Administrator then initiates the appropriate notifications using the College’s multi-media emergency notification procedure.
Each media is tested once each semester ensuring functionality and operational stability. The IT Manager, Technology & Network Operations maintains a file of documented tests and provides a written analysis of each test result to the College’s Emergency Management Director. They must advise all members of the Executive Leadership Group of any failures of the testing process which cannot be immediately corrected.
"This is a test of the EFSC emergency notification system. This is only a test. MWCC will conduct a test during each semester of the emergency notification system. If this had been an actual emergency situation alert, appropriate directions would have followed. Thank You."
If an event is deemed to be a "LEVEL 2 or LEVEL 3 Emergency" such as criminal behavior, bomb threat, fire, hazardous materials exposure, severe weather event, or power outage, the following messages will be sent via cell, text, website, classroom phones, faculty desktop computers, Facebook and Twitter (Social Media messages posted by Web/Social team from Communications based on the approved wording in the initial message). If appropriate, the Emergency Management Director may authorize the use of the Reverse 911 alert system to notify those impacted by the emergency. In some cases, it may be necessary for the Emergency Management Director to authorize use of some or all of the College’s communication methods in a minor LEVEL 1 Emergency in an effort to reduce the potential of unnecessary panic or concern.
The following Alerts will serve as guidelines of acceptable language to be used regarding various types of emergencies. These examples are guidelines only and language may be altered to better fit the situation as approved by any member of the Executive Leadership Group. During longer duration events (i.e., lockdowns and evacuations exceeding 30 minutes), it is advisable to send interim updates to those affected. A lack of information can create unnecessary fear and stress on those involved.
Alert! Active Shooter on ______ campus. Shelter in place, lock doors until further notice.
Alert! Armed suspect on ______ campus. Shelter in place, lock doors until further notice.
Alert! Shots fired on ______ campus. Shelter in place, lock doors until further notice.
Alert! Suspicious person on ______ campus. Shelter in place, lock doors until further notice.
Alert! Suspicious package reported (in/at/near location), ______ campus. Area cordoned off. Avoid area until further notice.
Alert! Suspicious package concern on ______ campus has been resolved. It is safe to resume normal operations. Check website for more information.
Alert! Bomb threat on ______ campus. Evacuate buildings at once, move to safe distance.
Alert! Fire alarm in Building ______, ______ campus. Evacuate building at once, move to safe distance.
Alert! Fire alarm in Building ______ on ______ campus has been resolved. It is safe to resume normal operations. Check website for more information.
Alert! An explosion has occurred in Building ______, ______ campus. If you are in this building, evacuate. Otherwise, remain sheltered indoors until further notice.
Alert! Explosion threat on ______ campus has been resolved. It is safe to resume normal operations. Check website for more information.
Alert! Immediate Tornado threat exists on the ______ campus. Remain sheltered indoors until further notice.
Alert! Immediate Tornado threat on ______ campus is over. It is safe to resume normal operations. Check website for more information.
Alert! Gas (or chemical) leak in Building ______, ______ campus. Evacuate the building at once, move to safe distance.
Alert! Gas (or chemical) leak resolved in Building ______, ______ campus. It is safe to resume normal operations. Check website for more information.
Alert! MWCC campus will close today at ______ due to Hurricane ______. Check college website for further bulletins.
Alert! MWCC campus will re-open on ______ at ______ as the threat from Hurricane ______ has passed. Check college website for further bulletins.
Attention: There is a telecommunications failure in the Building ______, ______ campus. Repairs are underway.
Attention: Telecommunications failure in the Building ______, ______ campus resolved. Normal operations have resumed. Check website for more information.
Attention: There is a computer network problem in the Building ______, ______ campus. Repairs are underway.
Attention: Computer network problem in the Building ______, ______ campus resolved. Normal operations have resumed. Check website for more information.
Attention: A utility outage has occurred in the Building, floor ______, ______ campus. Please exit the building calmly. Repairs are underway.
Attention: Utility outage on floor ______ campus resolved. Normal operations have resumed. Check website for more information.
Emergency Management Director – For all incidents requiring the attention of the Emergency Response Team, the Emergency Management Director will create a text message group consisting of all members of the Emergency Response Team to promote rapid communications on scene.
All persons will be required to evacuate the building when a fire alarm sounds and/or upon notification by the multi-media emergency notification system or when ordered to do so by the College official (Campus Administrator, Etc.) or some competent law enforcement or fire authority.
When an evacuation of a building is activated, leave by the nearest available exit. Do not use elevators to reduce chances of being trapped in an evacuated building and elevators need to be accessed by First Responders.
If an evacuation is a result of fire or a suspicious package, your nearest exit may be blocked resulting in the need to utilize a secondary exit.
While evacuating, please alert others to do the same and retain awareness of surroundings while evacuating.
If physically able, assist people with disabilities within the building. Individuals with disabilities located on the first floor should be taken to a "Safe Refuge Area" (stairwell or a classroom), whichever is available, as a last resort in accordance with the procedure for "Evacuation Procedures for Persons with Disabilities." Immediately alert emergency responders or security to the location of the individual. If no safe refuge areas are available, elevators may be used as a last resort.
Once outside, move at least 500 feet away from the affected building. In most cases, College officials, Officers, or First Responders will be available to direct you to the safe assembly area.
Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas, and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.
Return to the evacuated building only after being notified of an "All Clear" declaration via the multi-media emergency notification system.
The College recognizes the differences in the campus building, the limitations presented by various types of disabilities, and the range of possible circumstances that could be presented by different types of disasters. The objective of this guideline is to provide a standard operational method to assist the mobility of a person with a disability with evacuation from the campus building. When circumstances exist where an individual cannot be evacuated by either their own ability, or with the assistance of a stair evacuation chair (if available) and where it would be more dangerous or impossible to utilize the stairways, a person may be relocated to a “Safe Refuge Area” (as defined below).
When circumstances require evacuation from the campus building, people with disabilities are to evacuate the building by the safest and nearest exit and follow the general procedures for emergency evacuation. Faculty, Staff, Students and Visitors may provide assistance if they are able to do so, as noted under the "Good Samaritan Act."
A lockdown is ordered when the campus community will be safer by locking them in their classrooms, labs, and offices instead of evacuating.
The decision to cancel classes as a result of the building evacuation or utilities interruption can only be authorized by the President or a member of the ELG. Faculty members should remain with evacuated students until the direction has been given to return to the classroom, to move to an alternative learning environment or cancel classes. Faculty members do not have the authority to cancel classes without authorization. If the order to cancel classes has been authorized, the faculty member should communicate the details of the direction to the students before dismissing them and advise them to pay attention to the College’s website for updates regarding when classes will resume.
Suspicious situations shall be promptly reported by contacting (941) 348-7531. Security cameras are provided on campus seven days per week 24 hours per day on a year-round basis.
Observe the following procedures if you are exposed to violent or criminal behavior:
In the unlikely event an individual or individuals come on campus with the intent to harm innocent faculty, students and staff, there are steps you can take to greatly reduce your chances of injury and assist law enforcement and armed security officers to quickly engage and eliminate the potential threat. Please follow the following guidelines:
All building evacuations will occur when a fire alarms or upon notification by the college through the use of the multi-media emergency notification system.
The purpose of this Severe Weather Plan is to provide a course of action to be used during a severe weather event to minimize the loss of life, potential for injury and unnecessary damage to equipment or facilities that can result during severe weather.
Hurricanes require planning, preparation, and forecasting. College Administration must take steps to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, faculty, and employees, as well as college assets. In order to accomplish this, many steps must be taken while the hurricane may be days away from possible landfall and, may, in fact, not make landfall.
When a hurricane is forecast to strike Sarasota County within 96 hours, the Executive Leadership Group (ELG) within the next 12 hours will notify all staff, faculty, and students.
When a hurricane is forecast to strike Sarasota County within 72 hours, the ELG will take direction to, at minimum, but not limited to:
The Executive Leadership Group determines when Facility, IT and other applicable departments shall access the campus and attempt to bring the campus services back to normal operations.
The following actions are taken for all utility failures, electric, or water:
Good Samaritan Act: Good Samaritan Statute (FS 768.13): Also known as the "Good Samaritan Act" provides protections from civil liability:
Any person, including those licensed to practice medicine, who gratuitously and in good faith renders emergency care or treatment either in direct response to emergency situations related to or arising out of a public health emergency declared pursuant to s.381.00315, a state of emergency which has been declared pursuant to s.252.36 or at the scene of an emergency outside of a hospital, doctor’s office, or other place having proper medical equipment, without objection of the injured victim or victims thereof, shall not be held liable for any civil damages as a result of such care or treatment or as a result of any act or failure to act in providing or arranging further medical treatment where the person acts as an ordinary reasonably prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.
Basically, this act encourages persons to render assistance during emergencies as long as the assistance is not refused by the patient/victim, is provided gratuitously, in good faith and in a manner as an ordinary reasonably prudent person would and cannot be held liable for any civil damages.
The EMRP Personnel Listing is subject to change frequently and will be updated no less than once annually by the college Administrators: