Emergency Preparedness Update
University of Hawai‘i Emergency Plan: http://www.svpa.hawaii.edu/svpa/
LONG TERM
UH Mānoa established a Safety and Security Advisory Committee (http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/ovcafo/SafetyandSecurity/index.htm) charged with updating UH emergency plans and prioritizing security issues. The following summarizes the committee’s progress:
Revision Emergency Plans
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Because the process must be vetted through the state civil defense agency, this is a time consuming effort.
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The system-wide Emergency Operation Plan has been written and is currently under review by the Council of Chancellors.
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From this document, individual campuses will develop their plans and templates will be forwarded to each unit on the campus for development and/or revision of their existing plans.
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Final system-wide and campus plans will be in place by December 2005.
Shelters
As described in the Honolulu Advertiser of September 18, 2005, page A31 (See below), the State of Hawaii faces a shortage of available sheltering space. The Mānoa Campus is currently reviewing existing surveys of shelter capabilities and planning a strategy of retrofitting structures in order to increase the Red Cross approved shelter availability on campus. Mānoa’s goal is to provide approved on-campus shelters for all dormitory residents.
SHORT TERM
While we complete a thoughtful and thorough revision of our current emergency plan, we recognize that we need to be continuously prepared for natural disasters. Thus in the short term we remind you of the broad procedures currently in place which will be followed in case of a hurricane.
National Weather Service provides timely hurricane watch and warning notices prior to a possible event. We will be advised well ahead of a possible event.
Civil Defense agencies operating under the instructions of the Governor or Mayor will issue evaluation orders and other statements pertaining to public safety. It is the responsibility of the University administration to make a decision as to whether or not to close the campus.
In the event of campus closure:
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All non-essential employees will be instructed leave campus and/or not report to work.
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Dormitory students will be directed by student housing management to appropriate Red Cross Shelters. These will not necessarily be on the Mānoa Campus but many are within walking distance. Student housing has developed internal procedures to be followed in case of such emergencies. In light of current circumstances, these procedures are being discussed and reviewed at this time.
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Mānoa’s Designated First Response Team will report to Hawaii Hall Room 309 which has been designated as Mānoa’s Command Center for all emergency events. This group is responsible for all communication and subsequence responses regarding the event.
From the Honolulu Advertiser (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Sep/18/ln/shelters.html)
September 18, 2005, page A31
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Emergency Shelters on O‘ahu |
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