Emergency Response & Recovery Plan

Appendix 1 – Emergency Support Functions (ESFs)

I. Purpose

The purpose of this Appendix is to provide a basic understanding of the responsibilities associated with each of the Incident Command System emergency support functions that may be needed on the campus during an emergency and to designate Lead and Support Agencies and departments.

II. Emergency Support Function Listing:

A. ESF 1 – Transportation. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 1 is to provide coordination of transportation assets to support emergency operations. This support includes:

• Performance of and assisting with evacuation and re-entry to the campus, including clearing those parked within an Inner or Outer Perimeter, as directed by ESF #13.
• Process all transportation assistance requests received at the EOC.
• Prioritize transportation resources for the movement of people, materials, and services.
• Perform necessary actions to assist with recovery operations.

UVM Lead Department: Transportation & Parking Services

B. ESF 2 – Communications. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 2 is to provide communications tools for the Incident Commander, the EOC, the Policy Group, the Crisis Support Team and the campus as a whole. This support includes:

• Ensuring that Police Dispatch incoming and outgoing lines are operational, and remain so.
• Confirm communications equipment (phones, fax, internet, e-mail network access) and TV is operational in primary EOC and that communication services throughout the campus remain functional.
• Assist in setting-up EOC communications at back-up location.
• Where requested and technically possible, provide temporary hard-wired communications for Incident Commander at the scene of the disaster. .
• Assist with assuring that all campus two-way radio systems are operational and help secure repairs as needed.

UVM Lead Department:  Telecommunications & Network Services

UVM Secondary Departments: ETS Systems Architecture and Administration

C. ESF 3 – Public Works and Engineering (Physical Plant). The purpose of Emergency Support Function 3 is to provide and coordinate resources (personnel, equipment, facilities, materials and supplies) to support infrastructure needs during an emergency or disaster. Resources under authority of ESF 3 will be used to perform or assist with the following:

• Clear and repair damaged emergency access routes necessary for the transportation of rescue personnel, equipment and supplies.
• Operation and maintenance of emergency generators, and related life safety equipment.
• Emergency demolition or stabilization of damaged facilities that are immediate hazards to public health and safety.
• Restoration of critical services (heat, power, water, etc) and emergency repair of campus facilities.
• Provide maintenance of emergency response or other essential vehicles.
• Provide technical assistance and damage assessment.

UVM Lead Department: Physical Plant

Supporting Departments:  Facilities Design and Construction

D. ESF 4 – Fire Services. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 4 is to provide coordination of support services to firefighting activities as part of disaster response. Firefighting activities include:

• Detection and suppression of fires.
• Mobilization and coordination of personnel, equipment and supplies.
• Interface with ESF 8 (Health and Medical), ESF 9 (Search and Rescue) and ESF 10 (Hazardous Materials).

Lead Agency:  Burlington Fire Department

UVM Supporting Departments: Police Services, Physical Plant, Risk Management

E. ESF 5 – Emergency Management. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 5 is to collect, analyze, and share information about a potential or actual emergency (including natural disasters).  Emergency Management supports overall activities for incident management and maintains the Emergency Operations Center and serves as the link to Vermont’s DisasterLAN network.

UVM Lead Department: AVP for Admin & Facilities Services

F. ESF 6 – Mass Care – Shelter, Food and Water. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 6 is to coordinate activities involved with the emergency provision of temporary shelters, feeding, first aid, and bulk distribution of relief supplies for disaster victims, workers, and the campus as a whole.

UVM Lead Department:     Residential Life

Supporting Departments:    University Dining Services, Conference & Event Services

Supporting External Agencies: American Red Cross (Northern Vermont Chapter)

G. ESF 7 – Logistics Management and Resource Support. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 7 is to provide logistical and resource support to entities involved in delivering emergency response and recovery efforts during the initial phase after a disaster. This support includes locating, procuring and issuing resources, personnel, heavy equipment, generators and transportation of such in coordination with ESF 1.  It also includes providing such services as restorative cleaning, the creation of temporary access credentials (CatCard), printing, courier services and sign/notice posting.

UVM Lead Department:   Admin & Facilities Services

Supporting Departments:  Custodial Services Physical Plant, Transportation & Parking Services, Print & Mail Services, Davis Center Operations, Procurement

H. ESF 8 – Health & Medical Services. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 8 is to coordinate health and medical needs prior to and following a significant event.  ESF 8 provides the means for the triage, treatment and transportation of victims of an emergency/disaster; and assistance in evacuating the injured out of impacted area.   In the case of communicable diseases, ESF 8 establishes programs as directed by the CDC or the Vermont Department of Health.

UVM Lead Department:  Center for Health & Wellbeing

Supporting Departments:  UVM Rescue, Police Services, Transportation & Parking Services, Crisis Support Team

Supporting External Agencies: District 3 Ambulances, Vt. Health Department, Fletcher Allen Health Care and other hospitals (in a large scale Mass Casualty Incident)

I. ESF 9 – Search & Rescue. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 9 is to search and locate missing people in damaged campus structures or on campus grounds resulting from a disaster.  Coordinate any requests for volunteers with ESF #15.

Lead Agency:  Burlington Fire Department

UVM Supporting Departments:  Police Services (w/canine unit), Physical Plant, UVM Rescue

J. ESF 10 – Hazardous Materials. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 10 is to coordinate response to and recovery from an actual or potential discharge and/or release of a hazardous material resulting from a disaster.  

Lead External Agency: Burlington Fire Department

Lead UVM Department: Risk Management and Environmental Safety

UVM Supporting Departments: Police Services, Physical Plant TCO Shop, Radiation Safety office and Vermont HazMat Team

K. ESF 11 – Agriculture & Natural Resources (Animal Care). The purpose of Emergency Support Function 11 is to coordinate the response of departments with research and farm animals that are impacted by the disaster by assisting with emergency medical care, evacuation, rescue, temporary confinement, shelter, and obtaining food and water.

UVM Lead Department:  University Veterinarian, Office of Animal Care Management

UVM Supporting Departments:  Police Services, Physical Plant (Medplex Zone), Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Medicine

L. ESF 12 – Energy and Utilities. The purpose of ESF 12 is to provide coordination of emergency power to support response and recovery operations and to normalize campus functions.  ESF 12 also includes arranging for, and/or restoring electric power, natural gas and fuel oil, water/sewage and campus emergency generators.  ESF 12 works closely with utility providers (particularly Burlington Electric and Vermont Gas Systems).

UVM Lead Department:  UVM Physical Plant

Supporting Agencies:  Burlington Electric, Burlington Water Department, Green Mountain Power, Vermont Gas Systems and fuel oil suppliers.

M. ESF 13 – Law Enforcement. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 13 is to provide for the safety and security of people, facilities and equipment on-campus and to establish procedures for coordination and collaboration with municipal, state and other law enforcement agencies in accordance with Mutual Aid or other agreements.  This ESF is established to:

1. To provide command and control over all law enforcement on-campus.
2. Preserve law, order and campus security of people, facilities and equipment
3. Provide security in shelters (or residence halls)
4. Maintain the Police Communications Center operational on a continuous basis and relay critical information to the Emergency Operations Center

UVM Lead Department:  Police Services

UVM Supporting Department: Transportation & Parking Services, UVM Rescue, Physical Plant, Risk Management

N. ESF 14 – Public Information. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 14 is to disseminate information on emergencies and protective actions taken to the campus and the public through news media and other mechanisms.   When appropriate, UVM’s ESF 14 team will collaborate with Public Information Officer’s from the Burlington Police Department, the Burlington Fire Department, and the City of Burlington EOG (should a Joint Information Center be established). This includes:

1. Manage news media on-scene, including determining ideal location to stage media and best spokesperson, in consultation with on-scene Incident Commander.
2. Coordinate all information dissemination to the press, radio and TV
3. Activate Emergency Information section of UVM Web Page.
4. Provide for a consistent “one voice” to the news media
5. Provide coordination for rumor control
6. Prepare messages for internal campus distribution and for distribution to parents and alumni (as needed)
7. Update message on University Emergency Hotline (6-0000)
8. Establish a UVM Press Center and provide regular briefings
9. Share key information with Vermont 211 (802-652-4636)

UVM Lead Department:  University Communications

Supporting Agencies:  Burlington Fire PIO, Burlington Police PIO, FAHC PIO, and various press and media outlets

III.  UVM Specific ESF Functional Annexes

O. ESF 15 – Volunteers and Donations. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 15 is to provide a central point for the coordination of information and activities of voluntary agencies responding in times of disaster and the effective utilization of donated goods.

UVM Lead Department: Student Life

UVM Supporting Departments: Human Resources, Faculty Senate, Staff Council, Student Government Association and Graduate Student Association.

P. ESF 16 – Crisis Support. The purpose of ESF 16 is to coordinate mental health services for the victims, families, responders and employees involved in an emergency. Specifically:

1. Respond to requests for crisis intervention by coordinating and mobilizing volunteer counseling personnel.
2. Plan for and provide on-site triage, individual and group interventions and initiate referrals for more specialized and follow-up care.
3. Provide for and staff a Call Center (arranged through ESF #2) where families can get questions answered about the status of their students and the campus as a whole.
4. Secure and manage a staging area for families of victims.
5. Secure non-English speaking support
6. Work with ESF 6 & 7, as well as the Logistics Chief, to arrange accommodations for families.
7. Work with ESF #8 to support the mental health needs of those who are injured.
8. Arrange to memorialize lives of those lost.

UVM Lead Department: Dean of Students office

UVM Supporting Departments: Center for Health & Wellbeing, Human Resources

Q. ESF 17 – Academic Affairs (including Provost, VP for Research, Associate Provosts and Deans). The purpose of ESF 18 Academic Affairs is to ensure the resumption of teaching, research and public service as soon as practical after a disaster. Specifically:

1. Develop plans to reschedule classes (in conjunction with Registrar, deans and faculty)
2. Communicate with, and account for faculty.
3. Modify academic calendar or curriculum in consultation with deans and faculty leadership
4. Secure grant extensions where necessary

UVM Lead Department: Provost’s office

UVM Supporting Departments: VP for Research, Deans, Chairs, Registrar’s office and Conference and Event Services

R. ESF 18 – Finance & Administration. The purpose of ESF 17 Finance and Administration is to coordinate services related to keeping UVM a viable entity during and after a disaster and to ensure the wellbeing of employees.

Specifically:

1. Maintain the continuity of central financial and administrative services - including payroll processing and distribution. (through the offices of the Controller and Human Resources)
2. Account for staff during a disaster (through the office of Human Resources)
3. Manage employee and labor relations (through office of Human Resources)
4. Ensure that emergency funds are available for expenditures as university priorities change during periods of crisis (through the office of the Controller)
5. Develop plans to identify alternate facilities where University activities can be conducted, if regular facilities are destroyed or unusable (through the office of Capital Planning & Management).
6. Identify and ensure recovery of critical assets (in conjunction with ESF #3)
7. Collect information needed to secure reimbursement from Insurance Policies or Presidential Disaster Declarations (through office of Risk management)

UVM Lead Department:  Office of the VP for Finance & Administration

UVM Supporting Departments:  Various DFES departments (where needed)

S. ESF 19 – Student & Campus Life. The purpose of ESF 18 Student and Campus Life is to ensure the wellbeing of students. Specifically to:

1. Coordinate with other campus and community agencies to ensure the wellbeing and safety needs of students are met
2. Communicate with and account for students during emergency situations
3. Provide consultation to, and coordinate with student leadership and organizations regarding their participation in mitigation (see ESF #15)
4. Represent the university to parents, and maintain ongoing contact with severely injured or deceased students

UVM Lead Department:  Dean of Students office

UVM Supporting Departments: Other Student and Campus Life units

Last Updated: 1/15/11

Last modified January 18 2011 03:37 PM