Emergency Level - SECTION 5

Emergency Situation Guidelines

The following information should be used as a guide to determine the magnitude of an emergency incident and the necessary response.

FEMA Emergency Levels

• Incidents are categorized by type based on complexity.
• Type 5 incidents are the least complex and Type 1 the most complex.
• Incident typing may be used to ensure that Incident Commanders or Incident Management 

Teams (IMTs) are qualified to manage the incident.

Level 5 – Non-Emergency / Administrative

An unplanned event that is not likely to adversely impact or threaten life, health or property. Control of the incident is within the capabilities of University employees, the CEOC, and the duration of the event is limited.

• Minimal, if any, outside resources needed
• Limited or specific area of involvement
• No serious injuries or threat of injuries
• Minor or no impact on facilities or operations
• Handled administratively on a “need to know” basis; no general announcement necessary
• Level 0 includes monitoring of a special or scheduled event

Examples:

• Automatic fire alarm
• Small chemical spill
• Localized water pipe break affecting a portion of a building
• Localized undetermined odor problem
• Student demonstration

Level 4 – Monitoring / Standby

If the situation escalates to include an unplanned event that may adversely impact or threaten life, health or property within a single area and control of the incident is beyond the capability of University employees, outside agency assistance will be necessary.

• Limited outside resources needed at present time
• Limited or specific area of involvement at the present time
• Minor impact on facilities or operations; some specific change in normal operations may be called for
• Strong but unsubstantiated potential for some disruption, internal or external

Examples:

• Residence hall room fire
• Chemical spill (requiring a disruption of services and a FD Haz-Mat response )
• City water main break (involving most of a building or one which threatens critical services )
• Labor disruption
• Odor requiring evacuation
• Loss of heat or power to a building for a short term
• Death of a student.

Level 3 – Alert

If the situation impacts or threatens life, health or property on a large scale at one or more locations within the university, control of the incident may require specialists in addition to University and outside agency personnel. Long-term implications may result.

• The use of outside resources will likely be required
• Area of involvement is large or beyond a single site
• The threat has been verified or deemed credible
• The incident is likely to disrupt normal operations
• Multiple agencies or jurisdictions are involved in the management of the incident
• The threat of injuries or property damage has already occurred or is likely
• The notoriety of the incident will attract media and public attention

Examples:

• City water main break (involving service to multiple buildings 
• Loss of heat or power (to multiple buildings 
• Fire affecting an entire residential building
• Chemical release (causing the evacuation of one or more buildings
• Hostage situation
• Large scale civil unrest on College property
• Missing student
• Suspicious death (on campus )

Level 1 & 2 – Emergency

The situation adversely impacts or threatens life, health or property at the University on a large scale and control of the incident will require multiple agencies and multiple university departments working together. Long-term implications are likely.

• Extensive outside resources are needed and required
• Incident is large in size and scope and is imminent or presently occurring
• Normal operations are curtailed or suspended
• Serious injuries and/or property damage have occurred or could occur
• Numerous agencies or jurisdictions are involved in incident resolution
• The incident may impact the community as well as the organization’s property

Examples:

• Large-scale chemical release
• Earthquake
• Major, long-term, power outage
• Building collapse
• Ice Storm
• Large-scale external emergency (e.g. September 11, 2001 )