EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PLANNING

References:        Federal Law 29 CFR, Part 1910; Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-5);

National Incident Management System (NIMS); Wyoming Statutes: § 21-18-301, §21-18-302, § 21-18-304(a), § 21-18-310; Board Policies: 7210A, 7210B and 7310C. 

Providing a safe learning and working environment is of paramount importance to the College.   The College encourages and supports programs which promote safety, good health, and well-being of the College community.  This policy endorses efforts which ensure the quality of occupational and community environments while participating in College sponsored and work-related activities.  It shall be the responsibility of the College President, or their designee, to promulgate rules that will enhance the health and safety of employees, students, and general public for activities that take place on College property, in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. 

This policy endorses programs which: 

• Provide safe and healthful conditions and reduce injuries and illnesses to the lowest possible level;
• Assure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations providing for occupational safety;
• Provide information, training, and safeguards to employees and students regarding health and safety;
• Install and maintain facilities and equipment in accordance with recognized and accepted standards essential to reduce or prevent exposure to safety/health hazards for the College’s employees and students;
• Provide appropriate personal protective equipment to employees for use in the performance of their assigned work; and
• Arrange for medical services as may be dictated by the existing circumstances and as required by law. 

It shall be the responsibility of all employees, students, and general public to follow all necessary health and safety rules and to report any health and safety hazards to the appropriate College authority. 

In addition, this policy requires the institution to have an Emergency Response Manual that addresses: 

• Natural disasters, i.e., tornado or blizzard;
• Pandemic and other medical emergencies;
• Man-made disasters, i.e., violence in the workplace;
• Infrastructure hazards, i.e., gas leak and subsequent explosion; or
• Emergencies that occur within a Western Wyoming Community College educational program.

It is the full intent of the Board of Trustees to maintain a place of employment, educational activity, or community program that is free from safety or health threat and that supports the welfare of its employees and students.  The College President, or their designee, shall be responsible for the development and implementation of an Emergency Response Manual that creates an effective response to, and recovery from, emergencies. 

The Emergency Response Manual shall be developed and implemented in accordance with all appropriate laws and regulations that govern crisis/emergency preparedness.  The Board therefore, expects the College President, or their designee, to act as the Commander in all emergency situations.  Further, the Board expects the College and its divisions, individual departments, and centers to be actively trained and engaged in the Emergency Response Manual.  The Board also expects that it shall be apprised of the situation and subsequent action via the Board President, who shall be responsible for communicating with the rest of the Board. 

The Board is committed to protecting its community members, intellectual property, and facilities; minimizing the impacts of emergencies; and maximizing the effectiveness of the campus community in responding to and recovering from emergencies.  Additionally, the College is committed to communicate and provide notification to members of the College community in a timely and appropriate manner through internal and external communications.

Definitions 

Occupational Safety: Commonly referred to as occupational health and safety (OHS), occupational health, or workplace health and safety (WHS), is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work. 

Pandemic: An outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.

Adopted: May 7, 2020

Procedure 7510F

EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PLANNING 

Reference:          Board Policy 7510F 

The College shall take measures reasonably necessary to plan for emergencies and promote the safety of employees, students, facilities and property.  The institution’s Emergency Response Manual, in accordance with all appropriate laws and regulations that govern crisis/emergency preparedness, shall address specific hazards and circumstances that constitute an emergency for employees, students and property.  Such emergencies include but are not limited to:

• Natural disasters, i.e., tornado or blizzard;
• Pandemic and other medical emergencies;
• Man-made disasters, i.e., violence in the workplace;
• Infrastructure hazards, i.e., gas leak and subsequent explosion; or
• Emergencies that occur within a College educational program.

The authority to declare a campus state of emergency rests with the College President or their designee.  In an emergency situation: 

• The Protective Services Supervisor and/or Vice President shall immediately consult with the College President or their designee regarding the emergency to determine whether or not a campus-wide state of emergency exists. During the period of any major campus emergency the Protective Services Department will immediately put into effect the appropriate procedures necessary in order to respond to the emergency, safeguard people and property, and maintain educational facilities. 
• Depending on the emergency situation, several procedures may be enacted:
  1. Evacuate – immediately evacuate and go at least 200 feet from the building;
  2. Lock down – lock all doors, turn off lights and stay out of sight;
  3. Lock out – Lock all perimeter doors, be alert;
  4. Shelter – Immediately seek secure shelter in a basement, interior sealed room, or stairwell.
• In addition, only those faculty and staff members who have been assigned emergency resource team duties or issued an emergency pass by the Protective Services Department will be allowed to enter the immediate disaster site.
• In the event of earthquakes, after-shocks, fires, storms, or major disasters occurring in or about the campus, or which involve college property, Protective Services Officers will be dispatched to determine the extent of any damage to college property.

The College President, or their designee, shall act as the Incident Commander in all emergency situations.  The College and its divisions, individual departments, and centers will be trained annually and engage in the emergency plan.  The chain of command establishing the authority and responsibilities of campus officials and staff members are listed and defined in the Emergency Operations Manual. 

Via this chain of command, communication and notification shall be provided to members of the College community and the public in a timely and appropriate manner through internal and external communication.  The Board of Trustees shall be apprised of the situation by the College President, or their designee, via the Board of Trustees President.  The Board President shall then inform the rest of the Board via special meeting. 

Adopted: May 7, 2020