George Mason University

George Mason University

Hazard Mitigation and Business Continuity Planning

November 2005 – Present

George Mason University (GMU) retained James Lee Witt Associates (JLWA) to perform a Business Impact Analysis, conduct a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment and create a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Recognizing their roles as social, cultural and economic assets, universities have a heightened awareness of the importance of all-hazards mitigation and business continuity planning.

JLWA has worked with the University's three main campuses to examine critical functions and disaster vulnerabilities. From this initial assessment, JLWA has developed strategies to minimize risks to the university, as well as recommend business continuity activities designed to maintain critical business operations and improve recovery times after a large-scale disaster.

Specifically, JLWA has provided GMU with the following:

• Interviews with key university executives to discuss concerns, vulnerabilities, risks and existing mitigation efforts

• Integration and coordination with other University planning efforts

• Assessment to identify characteristics and potential consequences of hazards and losses, including:

o All hazards both natural and man-made

o Profile of hazard events

o Assessment of vulnerabilities and risks

o Identification and analysis of mitigation strategies, and

o Evaluation, selection and prioritization of mitigation goals

The final hazard mitigation plan is being submitted to the Commonwealth of Virginia's Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval.

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