In times of disasters, colleges and universities serve as key emergency management partners to federal, state, local, tribal, territory and private sector organizations. Natural, technological, and health hazards can all affect daily campus operations. Institutions are encouraged to regularly review, update and exercise their emergency plans.
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Planning
Colleges and universities are encouraged to review, update and exercise their emergency plans several times per year.
Emergency Planning
- Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education
- Addressing Emergencies on Campus Guidance
- Department of Education Emergency Planning Resources
- Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
- Emergency plan guide for people with disabilities
Communications Plans
Business Continuity Planning
- Business Continuity Plan
- Business Continuity Guidance & Templates
- Business Continuity Resource Requirements Worksheet
Campus Fire Safety
Cyber and Mobile Safety
Pandemic Flu
Training
Suggested emergency management courses for the campus community.
- Emergency Planning for Higher Education Training
- Community Emergency Response Team Training
- FEMA Corps
- IS-907 Active Shooter: What You Can Do
- IS-29 Public Information Officer Awareness
- IS-42 – Social Media in Emergency Management
- IS-100.b - Introduction to Incident Command System
- IS-100.HE- Introduction to Incident Command System for Higher Education
- IS-235.b Emergency Planning
- IS-546.12 Continuity of Operations Awareness Course
Campus Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates and trains faculty, staff and students about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Campus CERT Resources:
Resources
Student, Faculty and Staff Emergency Plans
- Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC)
- Emergency Supply List
- Immigration and Customs (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program Emergency Evacuation Tips
Emergency Resources for people with access and functional needs:
Campus All Hazards Guides to Preparedness
- Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Institutions of Higher Education
- Building a Disaster Resistant University
- Department of Education Campus Attacks – Targeted Violence Affecting Institutions of Higher Education
- Department of Homeland Security Active Shooter Scenario
Disaster Response and Recovery
- Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide Mobile App
- Apply for disaster assistance
- Department of Education Tips for Helping Students Recovering from Traumatic Events
- Mobile Disaster Updates
Reporting Emergency Incidents
Shelters on Campus
- Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters
- American with Disabilities Act Checklist for Emergency Shelters
Articles and Research
Disclaimer: The Ready Campaign facilitates information sharing and good practices for developing effective campus preparedness programs. This web site and its contents are provided for informational purposes only, without warranty or guarantee of any kind, and do not represent the official positions of the US Department of Homeland Security. For more information on the Ready Campaign, please email Ready@fema.dhs.gov.