Idaho State University - Emergency Response and Recovery Plan
4.2 Operations
The Operations Section is responsible for coordinating all operations in support of the emergency response and implementation of the action plan(s). This section includes the Response Teams, which are teams working toward reduction of the immediate hazard and establishing situation control and the restoration of normal conditions. The Operations Section is supervised by the Operations Coordinator. The coordinator oversees the operational response by functions or branches activated to deal with the emergency. Branches activated under Operations may include Public Safety, Communications Dispatcher, Search & Rescue, Medical, Health & Safety, Building & Utility, and IT/Telecommunications.
Assignments and Responsibilities: Operations Coordinator
| Checklist 2-A | Assignment: Operations Coordinator |
Position: Associate VP and M&O Supervisor, Facility Services |
The Operations Coordinator initiates intelligence gathering concerning casualties and damage, identifies immediate problems, focuses on the highest priorities (life & death), and controls problems. Based on information obtained and resources available, the Operations Coordinator will establish appropriate branches to deal with the emergency (see below). The Operations Coordinator is responsible for implementing and managing all Operational activities in accordance with the Plan and supervises the Operations Section. The Operations Coordinator supervises field tactics with other staff members, handles the request for or release of resources, makes situation changes to the Plan as necessary and reports such changes to the Incident Commander (Director, Public Safety).
| Checklist 2-A-1 | The Assistant Operations Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Operations Coordinator with the implementation and management of all operational plans. | |
The structure of the NIMS Command allows for branches under Operations to effectively deal with the incident. The following branches could be activated and supervised under the Operations Coordinator.
Assignments and Responsibilities: Operational Support
| Checklist 2-B | Assignment: Public Safety |
Position: Public Safety Captain |
Public Safety will provide assistance with first priority (life-threatening) tasks: warnings, immediate evacuation of hazardous areas and rescue. In addition, Public Safety will provide for traffic control, access containment and property protection. Public Safety is responsible for providing traffic and crowd control in support of closure plans and protecting critical facilities and supplies. Public Safety assists with the search and closure of damaged buildings and the evacuation of the campus community.
| Checklist 2-C | Assignment: Communications Dispatcher |
Position: Public Safety Operations Manager |
The Communications Dispatcher implements and operates an emergency communications network, handles emergency radio traffic, and makes priority emergency notifications. The Communications Dispatcher is responsible for managing, controlling and dispatching all tactical radio and data frequencies used in support of the emergency incident.
| Checklist 2-D | Assignment: Search and Rescue |
Position: Public Safety Officer |
Search and Rescue is responsible for covering predetermined areas of the campus, in established patterns, rescuing any trapped or injured persons and extinguishing any small fires. Search and Rescue coordinates locating endangered, trapped, disabled and/or isolated persons; gains access to persons in need of assistance or rescue according to the established rescue plans; assists the injured to the First Aid Center or sends for help if the person cannot be safely moved.
| Checklist 2-E | Assignment: Medical |
Position: Student Health Services Assistant Director |
Medical is responsible for setting up and staffing the First Aid Center, assisting the injured by providing first aid, and arranging for hospital transportation. Also, if required, Medical should establish a temporary morgue. The Medical Officer is the point of contact for coordinating the response and deployment of counseling and psychology personnel for critical incident stress management.
| Checklist 2-F | Assignment: Health and Safety |
Position: Safety Officer, Facility Services & Director, Health Physics |
Health and Safety quickly identifies hazardous material problems that will or could impact the emergency response. Health and Safety is responsible for coordinating the containment and cleanup of hazardous materials, identifying unsafe conditions for campus facilities, providing warnings and developing measures for assuring personnel safety.
| Checklist 2-G | Assignment: Building and Utility |
Position: Shops Supervisor Facility Services |
Building and Utility will focus on shutting off and/or restoring essential utilities reducing further hazards; assisting with closing off areas and streets; and clearing debris from roadways and essential areas for emergency equipment and building inspection. Building and Utility is responsible for making safety inspections of all facilities that may have been damaged, initially or later. Also, they are responsible for handling emergency construction or repairs.
| Checklist 2-H | Assignment: IT/Telecommunications |
Position: Chief Info. Ofcr, IT Svcs & Manager, Networking & Communications |
IT/Telecommunications will develop a recovery plan to maintain telephone communications and network connection at ISU. They will coordinate with the Operations Coordinator and Public Safety to ensure essential telephone communications and network connection are maintained in an emergency, and that essential computer connections and programs are recovered and maintained.