The University of Tulsa (TU) is subject to emergencies or disasters which result from major incidents or natural phenomena. TU’s has an Emergency and Disaster Plan along with other information which provides guidance and procedures to enable the University to effectively respond to and recover from these types of situations or other emergencies on the campus.
Response must be timely, vigorous, and directed toward containing the situation, minimizing the loss of life and property, averting undue hardship or suffering, and maintaining the maximum operational capabilities of the University. It is the responsibility of the University to protect life and property from the effects of hazardous events (emergencies and/or disasters) within its own confines.
TU has the primary responsibility of initial emergency management activities. The guidelines and protocols in place are based upon the emergency management functions of various organizations involved in emergency management which will generally parallel normal day-to-day functions or operations. Day-to-day functions that do not contribute directly to the emergency may be suspended for the duration of any emergency.
The efforts that would normally be required for those functions will be redirected to the accomplishment of emergency tasks by the department(s), division(s), or agency(ies) concerned.
The University is exposed to many hazards, some of which have the potential for disrupting the campus community and causing widespread damage and casualties. Possible hazards include, but are not limited to: Tornadoes, fires, winter storms, threat of terrorism related activities associated with biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive weapons. Other disaster situations could develop from a hazardous materials incident, major transportation accident, civil disobedience, disease or other unknown or unpredictable occurrences.
The President may declare a campus state of disaster or emergency. The effect of the declaration is to activate the recovery and rehabilitation aspects of the plan and to authorize furnishing aid and assistance. When the needs for the emergency exceed local capability to respond, outside assistance will be required from neighboring jurisdictions and/or the local or state government.
All plans are reviewed annually will be updated, as necessary, if applicable regulations are revised, the plan failed during an emergency, facility operations have changed in a way that affects the plan, the roster of emergency personnel has changed, or if the emergency equipment listed has been altered; but at least annually.