Washington State University Emergency Management
Strategic Plan
VISION
Prepare the Washington State University system to be disaster
resistant and resilient using an all-hazards approach.
MISSION
To develop and administer a comprehensive emergency management
program to encompass the main WSU campus, the urban campuses and
research stations and sites throughout the state. This program
will work in partnership with academic colleges and departments,
operating divisions and units, and the staff, faculty and
students of WSU in conjunction with federal, state and local
jurisdictions to protect lives and safety of students, faculty,
staff, visitors & animals; safeguard critical infrastructure,
facilities, environment, essential records & research; and
resume operations as soon as practicable.
VALUES
Washington State University Emergency Management will be guided
by a commitment
to the following values:
Utilize an All-Hazards Management Philosophy-Apply the
principles of all-hazards emergency management by planning and
preparing for all possible emergency events and not focusing on
specific issues to the detriment of others.
Provide Timely Response to the Emergency Needs and Requirements
of all Constituencies-Through comprehensive planning and
preparedness and by acquiring necessary resources be able to
respond to the emergency needs of all parts of the university
system.
Utilize Existing Expertise and As Needed Develop Expertise in
Emergency /Disaster Management and Continuance of Operations
Planning-Identify and utilize the expertise available within the
university system to plan, prepare and respond to emergencies as
well as provide opportunities for education and training to
develop expertise as needed.
Develop Strong Working Relationships with All Emergency
Management PartnersEstablish working relationships with federal and state emergency
management agencies. Focus on creating close planning and
interoperability relationships with the counties and cities
where WSU campuses, research stations and units are located.
Provide Quality Service and Flexible Solutions for all
Constituencies-Recognize the unique emergency management
questions and issues facing the diverse WSU system.
Safe, Healthy and Protected Campuses, Stations and Sites-Educate
and train all faculty, staff and students as needed to maintain
the safety and security of all WSU people, animals, facilities
and resources.
Develop Effective Communications regarding What We Do and Why We
Do ItTo have all parts and people of the WSU system to be actively
engaged in the emergency management process, clear, concise and
effective communication is vital.
Respect the Individual Differences of the People We Work With
and use Ethical Behavior in All We Do-Maintaining high standards
is the key to establishing trust with our constituents.
GOALS
The goals that follow will help guide the process of
establishing a comprehensive emergency management structure for
WSU. These goals are part of a dynamic process whereby both the
immediate and long-term needs of the WSU system will be
considered.
GOAL: DEVELOP A FULLY INTEGRATED AND COMPREHENSIVE EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS STRUCTURE FOR ALL CAMPUSES,
RESEARCH STATIONS AND UNITS OF THE WSU SYSTEM.
Sub-goal One: Ascertain the current status of emergency planning
and preparedness within all units of the WSU system.
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Review current emergency response planning templates for
changes, updates and revisions. Provide this information
to all units
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Contact all units and determine their current status
regarding preparation and completion of emergency response
plans
Review all existing plans and request updates and revisions
of included information as necessary
Provide assistance and training to those units who have not
completed their emergency response plans with a goal of 100
% system compliance by March, 2005
Compile all data to determine system emergency readiness
status. Identify strengths and weaknesses
Determine what resources, materials and funding is needed
to strengthen all aspects of WSU system emergency
preparedness
Sub-goal Two: Establish opportunities for appropriate emergency
management orientation and operations training, exercises and
drills for all units within the WSU system.
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Depending on units needs determine what training is
necessary and how best to implement that training
In cooperation with unit personnel, establish training
criteria and goals for each unit
Identify “training officers” for each unit, provide
appropriate “train-the-trainers” programs for those who
will be providing training at unit sites
Create Power Point presentations, handouts and other
“canned” training materials to assist unit trainers in
providing training programs
Create exercise and drill programs that are easily
adaptable to a specific units needs and simple for those
with minimal training to organize
Develop self-evaluation materials for units to judge
effectiveness of training, exercises and drills
Sub-goal Three: Develop the best possible emergency notification
and emergency communication system for all WSU campuses,
stations and sites.
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Establish the standards by which all emergency
communications within the WSU system shall be managed and
operate
Determine which technologies would best assist in achieving
this goal and acquire them as soon as possible
Train all WSU communications personnel in use of these
technologies and to assist with communications internally
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with students, staff and faculty as well as externally with
the news media when an emergency occurs
Provide a method that can quickly and efficiently reach all
of the WSU system with appropriate notices and instructions
in times of emergency
Sub-goal Four: Establish criteria for emergency supplies and
materials that each unit will be required to have on-hand as
part of their emergency preparedness responsibilities.
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Create lists of required and suggested preparedness
materials
Identify additional emergency preparedness materials based
on units needs
Work with Purchasing and Central Stores to provide
opportunities for acquiring these materials easily and
inexpensively
Provide training as needed in proper use, storage and care
of these materials
Encourage the acquisition of personal emergency supplies
for all employees of units. Provide lists and training
materials as needed.
Sub-goal Five: Establish procedures to keep all units planning
information secure but available to those who need access to the
information for emergency response and management purposes.
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Identify what information requires security. Establish
secure storage and databases for all critical information
Create database system for use by emergency responders to
contain all vital information regarding unit contacts,
hazardous materials etc. Put this information into easily
accessible format (vs. current hard-copy “manuals”)
Integrate and utilize new technology (I.E. EH&S Lab
signage, Hazardous Materials and Floor-plan mapping
programs) into emergency planning information databases and
planning processes.
Sub-goal Six: Work to establish “identity” for Emergency
Management within the WSU system.
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Request President Rawlins recognize and officially
establish (through Executive Directive) the necessity and
responsibility of all departments, divisions and units
located at all WSU campuses and sites to participate in
emergency planning and preparedness activities.
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Create Emergency Management web-site to include all
necessary planning templates, forms and guidelines as well
as current potential hazard information, preparedness
information and resources, valuable tips and suggestions
and other appropriate information that will promote the
safety and security of WSU personnel, facilities and
resources.
Develop informational handouts, brochures, Power Point
presentations and other educational materials to promote
emergency planning and preparedness
Develop a consistent look, within the WSU brand, for all
Emergency Management materials including the web site,
brochures, Power Point presentations and other
communications vehicles. Develop other ideas to help
market and promote the existence and need for emergency
management within the WSU system. Develop a “campaign” to
promote awareness and the need for all staff and campuses
to participate in planning and preparedness activities
GOAL: ASCERTAIN ALL CITY, COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL PLANNING,
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO UNITS
WITHIN THE WSU SYSTEM.
Sub-goal One: Work closely with state of Washington EMD to
determine the state and federal documentation requirements
appropriate to WSU as a state agency to take advantage of grant
funding opportunities as well as to maximize potential benefits
available in post-emergency aid.
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In consultation with state EMD review all documentation
required and procedures for application
Acquire all planning and templates and guides from
appropriate sources
Establish committees and workgroups to compile required
data and develop draft plans and reports at all campuses,
research stations and sites
Review and compile all materials into comprehensive
document representing all of WSU
Submit documents to state EMD for review and revision
Sub-goal Two: Work closely with Cities and Counties across the
state wherever WSU campuses, research stations or sites exist to
assist with their planning projects.
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Determine what information cities and counties require
Provide information as needed and as appropriate
Participate in Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC)
and other planning processes to make sure WSU interests are
addressed
Develop mutual aid and interoperability compacts as needed,
appropriate and legally permissible with cities and
counties
Establish standards and protocols for WSU units to work
with local and county agencies on emergency management
planning and preparedness issues
Sub-goal Three: Establish centralized emergency data base for
information regarding all appropriate federal regulated
operations at WSU campuses (I.E. Nuclear, Biological and
Chemical).
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Identify all appropriate contact people, emergency
responders and backups within WSU staff to include in
database.
Identify external contacts and emergency responders at the
local, state and federal levels and when it is appropriate
for them to be contacted as well as the protocols used to
contact them.
Train appropriate staff on use of this information and
appropriate protocols in emergency situations
GOAL: IDENTIFY GRANT OR OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
EMERGENCY PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION AND RESPONSE ISSUES
AND HOMELAND SECURITY ISSUES AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL
LEVEL AND PURSUE THESE VIGOROUSLY ON BEHALF OF THE WSU SYSTEM.
Sub-goal One: Develop system-wide strategy for applying for
appropriate grants. Incorporate input from institutional
experts at all campuses and sites.
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Establish process for how grant funding research and
request policies will be managed within established WSU
policies and procedures
Utilize available system experts and resources to establish
appropriate short and long term grant funding objectives
Sub-goal Two: Determine what must be done to make WSU eligible
for various grants and other forms of aid and focus on preparing
this information.
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Work closely with local, county and state EMD to identify
what must be done to compile all required information and
reports as quickly as possible
Establish working groups/teams to collect necessary
information from WSU system and create draft documents
Develop system to compile all collected information into
easy-to-use data base for use in applying for grants
Sub-goal Three: Establish priorities and identify most critical
issues for the WSU system. Focus the grant research efforts to
accomplish these needs first.
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Survey all units within WSU system to identify key issues
and needs related to emergency management including
homeland security related concerns
Establish priority system based on these needs to focus on
most critical issues first
Establish system to manage both the application process for
grants and the management of grants when received
Sub-goal Four: When grant funding is not available, work to
include emergency management funding needs in WSU budgetary
requests.
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Develop priorities and establish operational budget for
emergency management operations and personnel
Identify needs, goals, objectives and accomplishments to
support budgetary requests
Focus on the public relations, employee relations, costsaving and safety benefits to WSU from focusing on
emergency management within all aspects of the WSU system