Incident Planning, Response,
and Recovery Manual

The George Washington University
Campuses, Graduate Education Centers, and Strategic Partners

Manual Overview
Table of Contents
President's Letter
Vice President's Letter
Crisis Manager's Letter
Record of Updates (Feedback)
Purpose and Context
Levels of University Status
Expectations During Incident
Response Teams
Notification and Reporting
Coordination
Drills, Exercises and Tests

Table of Contents

Introduction to the GW Incident Manual  

In support of the University’s mission, the University leadership established the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management (OPSEM) in December 2001. OPSEM coordinates the University’s preparation for, response to, and recovery from incidents through the development and maintenance of this Manual, as well as through a variety of practical means to support its effectiveness and full implementation.

The Incident Manual is a living document that continues to evolve as the University and its operational environment change.

It is important to understand that the University’s Incident Manual was developed according to an all-hazards approach. The all-hazards approach is a planning philosophy based on building common capabilities necessary to address most types of incidents while allowing for the incorporation of special measures to meet the University’s needs during specific situations. This all-hazards approach allows for the maintenance of a sustainable and comprehensive plan while avoiding the duplication of effort entailed in building separate plans for every identified hazard. This approach makes the most efficient and effective use of University resources.

(Text in green indicates recent updates)

President's Letter of Promulgation (PDF)

Vice President's Letter of Implementation (PDF)

Crisis Manager's Letter (PDF)

Record of Updates

Feedback

Purpose and Context

The Plan

Priorities

Types of Incidents by Duration

Phases of Incidents

Incidents in Ascending Order of Severity

Strategic Decision-making

Preparations, Responsiveness, and Responsibility

Assumptions

Levels of University Status

Alert Levels

Normal (Level IV)

Incident Watch (Level III)

Incident Warning (Level II)

Crisis Imminent or Crisis Response (Level I)

Recovery

Expectations During an Incident

General Guidance

Guidance for Sheltering-In-Place

Guidance Concerning Evacuations

Detection and Awareness of an Incident

Fire or Smoke

Specific Threats

Suspicious Packages

Structural Integrity of a Building

Violence

Medical Emergency

Hazardous Materials

On a Personal Level

University Incident Teams

Overview

Leadership and Activation

Response Management Group

Leadership Group

Notification and Reporting

Casualties and Death

Coordination

Hospital and Medical Faculty Associates

District Government

Federal Government

International Organizations

Drills, Exercises, and Tests

Considerations for Individuals with Disabilities

 

Annexes

The Manual with Annexes requires GW E-mail authentication. Please provide your GW E-mail username and password on the Manual's home page if you are not logged in already.

Annex A:

Annex A contains the local contingency plans for various elements of The George Washington University. The purpose of a local contingency plan is to provide department specific information to support local preparation for, response to, and recovery from an incident. A local contingency plan includes procedures and policies for the department, including expectations and responsibilities, contact information, and post-evacuation rendezvous points. READ more about Annex A.

Local Contingency Plans

i.) Guidelines and Critical Issues for Local Contingency Plans
ii.) Local Contingency Plan Models

iii.) Appendices

1.) Offices of the President and the Board of Trustees

2.) Office of the Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs

3.) Office of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer

4.) Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

5.) Office of ther Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services

6.) Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel

7.) Office of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

8.) Office of the Vice President for External Relations

9.) Office of the Vice President for Research

Annex B:

Annex B contains the local continuity of operations (COOP) plans for various elements of The George Washington University. The purpose of a COOP plan is to establish priorities and procedures to sustain operations of the University in case a disruption is caused by an incident. Plans should cover the restoration of operations as quickly and completely as possible, and provide for alternate methods and locations of operations during the disruption. READ more about Annex B.

Local Continuity of Operations Plans

i.) Guidelines and Critical Issues for Local Continuity of Operations Plans
ii.) Local Continuity of Operations Plans Models

iii.) Appendices

1.) Offices of the President and the Board of Trustees

2.) Office of the Provost and Vice President for Health Affairs

3.) Office of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer

4.) Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

5.) Office of ther Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services

6.) Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel

7.) Office of the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

8.) Office of the Vice President for External Relations

9.) Office of the Vice President for Research

 

Annex C: Command Center Staffing and Sustainment

Appendices

1.) Alternate Command Center

2.) Convening the Leadership & Response Management Groups

3.) Conference Calling Procedures for the University Incident Teams

4.) Call Forwarding Information for the University Information Teams

Annex D: Succession and Travel Policy for Key Personnel

Annex E: Communications Plan

Appendices

1.) Media Relations and Support

2.) Death Notifications

3.) Protocol for Control and Operation of Campus Advisores Emergency Management Web Page

Annex F: Mitigation of Loss and Suffering

Annex G: Individuals with Disabilities

Annex H: Designated Employees

Annex I: Adverse Weather

Annex J: Campus-wide Calendar and Schedule of Events

Annex K: Training and Exercises

Annex L: Academic, Administrative, Residential Building Security Procedures

Annex M: Emergency Protocols

Annex N: Definitions and Abbreviations

Annex O: Exercise Program Overview and After Action Processes

Annex P: Partnerships

Annex Q: Epidemic and Pandemic Planning, Response, and Recovery

Annex X: Expense and Budget Procedures

 

The George Washington University
Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management
Rice Hall Suite 701
2121 Eye Street
Washington, DC 20052
Ph. 202.994.6600
Fax. 202.994.9304
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