University Incident Teams

On-Scene Response Team >>

The On-Scene Response Team consists of those responders dispatched by their respective organizations to the scene of an incident to take charge of  the University’s first level of response.  As such, they are responsible for the initial assessment of the incident, the taking of any initial actions appropriate, and providing information regarding the nature, scope, and severity of the event through the UPD supervisor/on-scene liaison.

The following sections describe the membership, responsibilities, and authority of the various teams in case of an incident on campus.

Membership and Responsibilities

University Police Department

1. The UPD Supervisor assigned to the incident, in consultation with other responders, assesses the safety of the situation and takes or directs initial actions to ensure public safety.

   Establishes the UPD on-scene command post, coordinates with MPD and DC Fire and EMS officials (if they are on the scene), and becomes the University’s liaison to the Incident Commander (when established).

    UPD directs and/or assists with traffic and crowd control if required by District officials; directs, coordinates, and manages evacuations, etc. including guiding emergency ambulances and other first responders to the scene and establishing ambulance or other emergency vehicle staging areas (when District officials direct or are unavailable).

2. In the event that the Command Center Complex needs to be activated, the UPD supervisor will report information to the UPD representative in the Response Management Group who will share those updates with the Crisis Manager.
   

Community Living and Learning Center/Dean of Students

1. A CLLC/DOS representative reports to the scene if Residence Halls and/or students are directly or even indirectly involved. 

   The representative will:

• Manage student related issues and actions resulting from the incident, provide access to student rooms, and assist with evacuation management.

• Seek/provide alternative shelter sites as required.

• Call in key personnel (e.g.  FM or RPM) to provide support.
  

Facilities Management

1. The FM representative responds if there are access issues or facilities implications (e.g. gas leak, fire, sprinklers activated). 

2. The FM Representative:

• Coordinates with public utilities personnel if they are on the scene.

  Directs and/or assists with shutting off of power and other utilities, makes emergency repairs to buildings and/or facilities.

• Assist first responders as needed.
  

Building Representative1.  The SASS and/or University representative for the building in question, if there is such a representative (e.g., Marvin Center, Smith Center), provides assistance with facilities related issues, evacuations, etc.
Residential Property Responders

1. Residential property representative will respond if a residence hall is directly involved. Third party management company representative responds if the building is managed by a third party.

   RPM and third party managers will coordinate with each other.   

2. Responders will assist first responders as needed.
   

Medical Center Representative

1. A Medical Center Safety Office representative will respond if the incident involves the Medical Center, the hospital, and/or any research facilities that house animals, DNA, radiation equipment or select agents.

   The representative participates in evacuation/closure decisions as they are responsible for the handling of hazardous materials in University research labs. 

2. The representative, through the UPD supervisor, liaises with appropriate authorities regarding issues dealing with hazardous materials.
   

University Parking Services

1. Representative of University Parking Services will respond if the incident involves University parking facilities, the incident alters normal parking processes and/or there is a need to effect an orderly evacuation of parking facilities.
   

Risk Management

1. A representative responds if the incident involves real or imminent potential for personal injuries, property damage, or other possible indemnification to the University and/or University liabilities. 

2. The Risk Management representative is also responsible for the handling of hazardous materials in University teaching labs, other than the Medical Center.
   

Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management

1. The Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management may also be present at the scene at his discretion and/or the direction of any member of the Leadership Group.  

2. He may provide expert opinion and/or convey directives or questions to the UPD Supervisor or Incident Commander from the Leadership Group.
   

Others

1. A representative of the Communications Team may be present at the scene to manage communications with on-scene media.
   

Authority

The most senior representative of each entity called to the scene will act as that entity’s on-scene decision maker.The UPD Supervisor has authority over GW representation at the scene including assessment and initiation of appropriate life safety measures. However, the Supervisor will consult with and take under advisement the appropriate recommendations and expertise of other entities represented at the scene.The on-scene response team has the authority to execute any decisions that require immediate action to protect and preserve the safety of students, faculty, staff and/or University owned or operated property and facilities.

When Activated

Spontaneous Incidents

Incidents that immediately impact the Foggy Bottom and/or Mt. Vernon Campuses (e.g., gas leaks, fires, explosions, hostage takings, bomb threats, hazardous materials spills, unanticipated severe weather).

1. UPD dispatches an officer to the scene of any reported on campus incident involving students, faculty, or staff; University property and/or facilities and/or public safety. UPD takes immediate action to safeguard lives and property. UPD Supervisor takes charge of the incident site.

   If UPD’s assessment of the nature of the incident is that it requires a multi-disciplined response, UPD will notify the appropriate On-scene Response Team members, the Assistant Vice President for Public Safety and Emergency Management and the Director of Media Relations and will dispatch a UPD Command Center vehicle to the scene which will serve as their assembly point. 

2. UPD will also call for any appropriate assistance from the civil authorities.
   

Anticipated IncidentsIncidents that are expected to impact the Foggy Bottom and/or Mt. Vernon Campuses (e.g., severe weather, public demonstrations on campus or in the immediate proximity of the campus).

1. At the direction of each entity’s chain of command (as determined by the deliberations of the Leadership Group), the various entities support their management chain as represented on the Response Management Group and place their incident response staffs on call and schedule emergency shifts as appropriate to the incident.
   

Unanticipated Regional IncidentsIncidents with immediate impacts to the campus or the potential for disrupting campus activities (e.g., U. S. Government Red Alerts, power outages, severe weather, an explosion, bomb threat, sniper activity, a hostage taking) in the vicinity of the campus.

1. At the direction of each entity’s chain of command (as determined by the any member of the Leadership Group), the various entities place their incident response staffs on call and schedule emergency shifts as appropriate for the incident.
   

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