Disaster Response Plans

These plans will be implemented where an immediate and comprehensive University response is warranted to major incidents affecting the campus community. There are two plans for two different scenarios; i.e. an on-campus crisis which does not affect the area around campus and a natural disaster such as an earthquake that affect the entire city and/or region.

On-Campus Crisis Response Plan
This plan addresses crises that are confined solely or primarily to campus. Examples include major fires, sudden deaths through accident or suicide, and large-scale acts of violence such as terrorist acts. Such events would foster immediate and comprehensive response by local agencies such as the Tacoma Fire and Police Departments.

Professional outside assistance would help facilitate effective campus crisis response. However, the University also must be prepared to quickly identify and implement its own responses. This includes communicating crises information and response plans to the campus community, the media, and interested off-campus parties such as parents.

Natural Disaster Response Plan
This plan addresses natural disasters that impact the campus and the surrounding area or region. Examples include earthquakes and volcanic activity. Under these circumstances, Puget Sound would rely significantly on its own human and physical resources. Outside professional assistance to campus may be limited, particularly during the first days following a disaster. Therefore, regional disasters require detailed response plans and maximum participation by key University staff.

More detailed departmental response plans are maintained by key responding departments. These departmental plans are congruent with this overall Disaster Response Plan but outline more precise responsibilities and use of resources controlled by key responding departments.