Emergency Management Plan

• Prioritizes the safety of those who live, work and study at Pomona College and provides communications methods to inform internal and external stakeholders of safety issues and the College’s emergency response.
• Describes the organization, staff and coordination necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of our community members and the continued operations of Pomona College in Claremont, CA, as well as necessary action to assist and care for community members abroad if an emergency should occur. The Plan recognizes the College’s responsibilities and prescribes actions to be taken by departments within the College.
• Establishes responsibilities of College leaders and all administrative departments, setting forth lines of authority and organizational relationships
• Identifies personnel, equipment, facilities, resources and supplies; identifies required mitigation steps; focuses on measures integral to the protection of the community; establishes concepts and policies for the integration of resources under which all elements of the College will operate during emergencies; and outlines steps to help ensure the recovery of College operations.
• Provides a framework for the College to manage unique campus emergencies. In the event of an incident with long term implications, the College’s focus would transition from an immediate response and community care to also include the recovery of operations in order to fulfill its academic mission with minimal disruption. These two functions complement one another and rely upon the same resources but are distinct in their emergency preparedness planning.

The EMP, as part of the College’s overall safety and security efforts, is regularly reviewed through the ongoing work of the College’s senior leadership and members of the Emergency Response Team to ensure that the College is prepared to respond and adapt to rapidly developing events and changing campus needs and external factors.

In any emergency situation, Pomona College’s emergency response will be guided by the following priorities:

1. People
   Pomona College’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of those who live, work and study within the Pomona College community.
2. Residential and Occupied Facilities
   Residence halls that house students, faculty and staff, occupied classrooms, offices, labs, auditoriums, arenas and special event venues.
3. Facilities that Sustain Emergency Response
   Energy systems and utilities, communication systems, computer installations and potential sites of emergency shelter and operations.
4. Unoccupied Facilities
   Unoccupied offices, facilities and buildings should be protected by means that do not require members of the Pomona community to assume undo risks to their own safety.

An “emergency” is defined as any incident or series of critical incidents which require(s) the College to disengage resources from normal operations to provide extraordinary protection of life, property and/or operations. The Emergency Management Plan classifies incidents into two categories: “Routine” and “Crisis” emergencies.

Level 1 - Routine Emergencies

For operational purposes, these types of incidents fall into this category not because they occur frequently but because there is typically a standard response protocol in place to mitigate the consequences of the incident. Examples of this type of emergency are:

• Fire
• Earthquake
• Gas Leak
• Active Assailant
• Injury
• Alcohol Related
• Extreme Heat

Level 2 - Crisis Emergencies

Crisis incidents are those situations that do not have a standard response protocol, develop over a period of time and require multi-level management and policy decisions. These incidents may involve:

• Student demonstrations
• Media related issues
• Injuries/fatalities
• Escalation of “routine” emergencies

The Senior Administrator On-Call (SAOC) consulting with the Critical Incident Management Team (CIRT) will ascertain and coordinate the appropriate emergency response. The response will be dependent on the nature of the specific incident.

Level 1 incidents: categorized as “Routine” will be scalable in nature and impact. As such, may or may not utilize the College’s emergency resources. These incidents are primarily managed by the “On-Call Deans” system with support from specific departments

Level 2 incidents: categorized as “Crisis Emergencies” can occur immediately or play out over time and may necessitate the activation of some or all emergency support teams and protocols. Level 2 incidents will be directed by the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Key features of this concept include:

• Differentiation between policy/planning from operations, logistics administration and finance
• Both bottom-up and top down planning
• Bottom-up incident management by EST’s when feasible

Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)

The CIRT assists the President in developing policy, strategy and tactics for managing “Crisis Emergencies. These individuals (see below) provide general oversight of all emergency response and recovery operations. They receive information from the Emergency Response Team (ERT) and determine appropriate courses of action and make certain that emergency management decisions ensure the values, health and safety of the community, are inclusive of all College communities and operations, and lead to quick restoration of the College’s mission. The CIRT makes decisions on issues referred from the ERT that could have campus-wide impact, issues that impact College operations in the immediate future, and decisions that will modify the ongoing recovery effort. The CIRT will also be advised and have input on requests for external resources. They will also initiate decisions in response to information they receive from other sources. These individuals remain in contact with and provide guidance when necessary to the Emergency Support Teams (EST) that correspond to their respective areas of responsibility.

Additional CIRT responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Decision-making
• Unified communications, articulation of core values
• Keep an eye on the “Big Picture”
• Coordination across the 5C’s​
• Monitoring incident and provide feed-back
• Host reassurance meetings
• Conduct media interviews as appropriate
• Provide oversight of Emergency Support Teams (EST’s)
• Manage primary College functions
• Approve requests for plans, additional resources, press releases, demobilization planning
• Delegate power as necessary to accomplish assignments

The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) consists of:

• Core Group:
  • President
  • VP/Dean of the College
  • VP/Dean of Student Affairs
  • VP/Finance & Treasurer
  • Chief of Staff
  • Chief Communications Officer
  • AVP/Facilities & Campus Services – Facilitator/Support
• Incident Specific/As needed:
  • VP/Information technology
  • VP/Admissions & Financial Aid
  • VP/Advancement

Senior Administrator on Call (SAOC)

The individuals who serve as SAOC are administrators experienced in a variety of College operations. Each administrator serves on a duty rotation of one week. SAOC duty schedules are posted in the Campus Safety Office and other appropriate locations. They initiate and coordinate the College response to all “Routine Emergencies” 24-hours a day. This response may include the activation of all or part of the College Emergency Response Team (EST’s).

Emergency Support Teams (EST’s)

The emergency management plan employs a functional approach to managing any College crisis, grouping types of direct assistance needed into eight Emergency Support Teams (ESTs). In most cases, each EST corresponds with a College department based upon areas of responsibility, resources, authority and capability.

The 14 Emergency Support Teams are:

• EST #1 - Academic Affairs
• EST #2 - Information Technology
• EST #3 - Facilities Management
• EST #4 - Community Care
• EST #5 - Planning
• EST #6 - Auxiliary Services
• EST #7 - Communications
• EST #8 - Finance
• EST #9 - Medical
• EST #10 - Transportation
• EST #11 - DARTS

Representatives from each EST are available 24/7 to respond to any emergency situation. Each EST has a set of responsibilities specific to its area of authority (SECTION EIGHT) and detailed response plans.

The Emergency Response Team (ERT)

This leadership group consists of representatives from each Emergency Support Team (EST). This group is charged with planning and preparing the College to respond in the event of a major incident, on or off campus, that substantially impacts daily campus operations.

Law Enforcement

The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) Campus Safety Office serves as the first responder to any emergency situation as they are typically the first unit notified of an incident. Campus Safety then initiates response protocols as the situation warrants including coordination with Pomona College leadership, Claremont Police Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department.

In an emergency, the College seeks to disseminate information to the campus community and public in a timely and accurate manner. The means of dissemination and specific details will vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of the incident.

The Office of Communications oversees internal and external communications related to an emergency incident. This includes drafting and disseminating messages, in coordination with other College offices. All Pomona College communications related to an emergency incident should be reviewed with the Office of Communications. The primary forms of distribution are:

• Everbridge Emergency Notification System
• Campus Public Alert System
• LiveSafe app
• Pomona College website
• Main Social Media Accounts:
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Depending on the nature of the incident, the Office of Communications will determine the need to hold news briefings and escort reporters on campus.

Emergency Numbers

Emergency Conference Call Bridge: (712) 432-1500 - host code: (600677*) participant code: (600677#)

Campus Safety: (909) 607-2000 (x72000)

Campus Safety Escort Service: (909) 607-2000

Other Useful Contacts

TCCS Student Health Services: (909) 621-8222

Monsour Counseling & Psychological Services: (909) 621-8202

Employees Assistance Program: (800) 234-5465

TCCS Environmental Health and Safety: (909) 607-7233

TCCS Central Facilities Services: (909) 621-8051

TCCS Office of the Chaplains: (909) 621-8685

Loss of Communications

During periods when all or parts of the College’s voice or internet communication networks are inoperative, the Emergency Response Team and ESTs will utilize cellular and radio communications, the G.E.T.S. emergency telephone lines and other appropriate network communication services.

Informational broadcast communications will be delivered when technically feasible via Connect-ED which delivers messages through campus voicemail, registered cell phones, email, the College home web page www.pomona.edu and the Campus Public Alert System. As necessary, information kiosks will be developed at several central locations throughout campus: Smith Campus Center, Bixby Plaza, Sumner Hall Parking Lot, and in the Peter Stanley Academic Quadrangle.

In the event of a “Routine” or “Crisis” Emergency, the SAOC in consultation with CIRT, will activate all or part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT). The Emergency Response Plan is designed to assign leadership roles to the Emergency Support Teams (EST’s) to manage the functional components necessary to manage any emergency situation.

Specific functional responsibilities are assigned as follows:

Functional Areas
This system will be activated during “Routine” or “Crisis” emergencies.

1. Incident Leader

The Incident Leader (IL), typically the SAOC, is in overall command throughout the duration of the incident until relieved by a senior staff member or a transfer of leadership during a long-term incident. During any incident with campus-wide or regional repercussions, the President or designee will become the default Incident Leader.

Incident Leader (IL) Responsibilities

• Establish leadership
• Assign staff based on the needs of the incident
• Determine the overall strategy for the incident response and communicate this strategy to all management levels of the organization
• Expand the leadership structure, as needed, to maintain an effective supervisory span of control as the incident escalates
• Approve requests for plans, distribution of resources, requests for additional resources, news and information to be released to the College community and publicly, and demobilization planning

2. Communications Function

The leader of EST #7 - Communications or designee will act as the incident Public Information Official (PIO) during an emergency incident. The PIO is responsible for releasing information to the College community and the public about the incident, and working with the media and appropriate responding agencies. Prior to briefing the media, the PIO must discuss the facts of the incident with the IL. The briefing should include information about what is known currently, the plan to control the incident, the College’s priorities, timing for the next update, and the correction of any public misinformation. The PIO is also responsible for working with the ERT to communicate information about the incident and the health and safety of students, faculty and staff to the campus community, parents and alumni.

3. General Counsel (if applicable)

Will provide guidance and the necessary legal support to assist in mitigating an incident or recovery.

4. Liaison – Senior Administrator On-Call (SAOC)

As the initial responder, the SAOC will serve as the Incident Leader (IL). As the incident develops, the SAOC may transfer the IL role to the President and/or the designated member of the CIRT. Once the SAOC has informed the IL of the current situation, the SAOC will assume the role of liaison to the College EST's that are in the field and report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

5. Operations Function

The leader of EST #3 or designee will serve as Operations Chief (OC) and Manage Emergency Support Teams #2-IT, #3-Facilities, #6-Dining Services, #12-Transportation, #10-Emergency Services and #9- Finance. The Operations Chief assists the Incident Leader (IL) in developing the response strategy, tactics and overall plan for field operations.

6. Planning Function

The leader of EST #1 or designee will serve as Planning Chief (PC) and manage Emergency Support Teams #1-Academic Affairs, #13-Hazardous Materials and #14-DARTS. The PC is responsible for planning the continuation of the core business function on a short and long term basis. The planning objectives should be attainable, measurable and flexible.

7. Logistics Function

The leader of EST #4 or designee will serve as the Logistics Chief (LC) and mange Emergency Support Teams #4-Community Care, #7-Campus Safety. The LC is responsible for planning the logistical needs of the College before, during and after and campus wide emergency situation.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the central operations center used during campus emergencies. The EOC, located in Rembrandt Hall, is fully equipped with communications gear, administrative supplies and other items. The EOC develops and then provides all appropriate information to the Executive Staff for final decisions on managing an emergency incident. The Senior Administrator on Call (SAOC), in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Campus Services, is responsible for activating the EOC should an incident require the support of multiple College entities. The EOC is staffed by members of the ERT who will manage a campus emergency. The secondary EOC is located at Kenyon House.

Emergency Support Team #14 D.A.R.T. is an integral part of the Emergency Response Team. It is the role of DART members to prepare for emergencies before, during and after an extraordinary event, whether it is an evacuation or a lock-down of a campus building. They are responsible to communicate conditions in evacuation sites (e.g., injuries, conditions, accounting of people) to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Once this has been completed, their services can be utilized for other tasks (e.g., distribution of information, staff support, distributing supplies to people in assembly areas) as assigned.

Division Leaders

There are four Division Leaders designated to work with the EOC and D.A.R.T. members should evacuation or lock-down of the campus be required. Each Division Leader has approximately eight buildings geographically located within their division (See Exhibit “A”).

Evacuation:

• During an evacuation, the Division Leaders will locate themselves to a safe, outside area within radio contact to the evacuation sites but away from the congestion of the actual site.
• Their first contact with the D.A.R.T. members will be to determine condition (i.e., red-life threatening condition; yellow- some injuries, none life-threatening; or green everyone is ok).
• Upon receipt of this information, it will be sent, via two-way radio, to representatives in the EOC.
• Throughout an event, instructions from the EOC to evacuation sites (i.e., relocate to a common assembly area) will be disseminated via the Division Leaders to the D.A.R.T. members via two-way radio. Should radio service not be available, runners will provide communication.
• They will stay in place until released by the EOC.

Building Leaders

Two D.A.R.T. members have been assigned by the departments residing in the building to work as a team. Each is equipped with a hard-hat, two-way radio, clipboard, emergency vest, megaphone and sign designating the building they represent. They are responsible for:

• Periodic safety checks of the building
• Ensure emergency equipment and procedures are current and posted in each classroom and common area of their building.
• Account for people and be the eyes and ears for the EOC to the situation in their particular evacuation site.

Evacuation:

• Once it has been determined that the building will be evacuated, the D.A.R.T. members will relocate to their designed evacuation site equipped with their blue bag containing their equipment (including building occupant rosters) and turn on their two-way radio.
• They will hold up the sign indicating the building for which they are responsible to direct people to congregate in that location to be counted.
• Their first responsibility will be to get a count and location of injured people (i.e., red-life threatening condition; yellow- some injuries, none life-threatening; or green everyone is ok) and major visual damage to facilities and report it to the Division Leader when prompted.
• D.A.R.T. will then account for people who were in the building by name. This can come from classroom rosters provided by the instructor, staff rosters from individuals or by simply writing the names of those in the evacuation site.
• After a summary of those in the evacuation site has been accomplished, the Building Leaders will wait for instructions, release people, move to another location, etc.) from the EOC via the Division Leaders. Should two-way radio not be available, runners will provide communication.

It is the role of the S.T.A.R.S. to mitigate the impact on life and property through the skillful response to emergency incidents. S.T.A.R.S. are trained in: Urban Search and Rescue, Damage Assessment, Utility Control, Perimeter and Crowd Control, Emergency Medical Assistance, Emergency Evacuation & Extraction, Fire Suppression & Control Bomb Threat Response, Hazardous Material Response, Debris Removal, Incident Management, Emergency Communications.

The S.T.A.R.S. is a resource of that can be used during any situation that threatens the College’s people or property and is activated under the following circumstances:

• An Emergency Incident at an organization’s facility
• An earthquake of 5.0 within 10 miles of the organization.
• Level II or higher activation of the College’s Emergency Operations Center.
• During any weather event with winds of 60 miles per hour or more.
• During any weather event resulting loss of life and or property.

The S.T.A.R.S. can be activated to respond to the following situations:

• Special events
• During “Warnings” issued by the Emergency Response Team (ERT)

During an unplanned emergency, the first STARS member on scene assumes the role of Field Operations Coordinator and works under the control of the Operations Chief or designee. Subsequent STARS members arriving on scene are divided into 2-person sub teams and are given an STARS radio call sign and assignment. During planned operation’s the Field Operations Coordinator will designate a Tactical Commander (TC). The TC will be responsible for the execution of all STARS operations.

All operations and tactical capabilities of the STARS are based on the 2-person sub team element. A minimum of 4 STARS personnel will be deployed whenever possible.

Training

All members of STARS are required to successfully pass training and regular skills assessments to gain and keep their position. In addition, an annual validation exercise is conducted to assess the skills of STARS as a whole. STARS members must participate in a minimum of 2 hours per month of training. All training is scenario based and designed to test both individual and team skills.

Disaster Assistance Response Team (D.A.R.T.) will work with department directors and chairpersons to review their operations and prepare specific emergency procedures for each facility or operation under their control in which a possible emergency could occur. Area-specific emergency procedures will be incorporated into this Plan as an Annex. Emergency plans should contain, as a minimum, the following information (but procedures may be expanded to include other information deemed appropriate):

• A brief description of the facility or the type of operations conducted;
• A list of credible emergencies that could occur based on the type of operations that are conducted within the facility, laboratory, or classroom area;
• Description of personnel actions for each credible emergency that would require specialized responses; i.e. hazardous material spills, bomb threats, etc.
• A list of personnel in charge of respective operations to include phone numbers and/or addresses where contact can be made after normal working hours;
• Procedures for notifying personnel should an emergency occur on the facility that requires their presence to resolve or stop the incident;
• Procedures for evacuating and accounting for any visitors and for all personnel normally working in the facility to include:
  • Determination of when an evacuation is necessary,
  • Designation and use of staging areas to account for personnel,
  • Selection of evacuation routes out of the facility to the staging area,
  • Establishment of a personnel accountability system,
  • Procedures for the evacuation of handicapped personnel
  • Procedures for advising the EOC that evacuation are complete.
• Description of alarm systems, speaker systems, or other means of communicating the emergency condition to all personnel
• Description of specialized equipment needed by units responding to an emergency