Northwestern University

Emergency Management Planning and Exercises

October 2005 – December 2006

In the fall of 2005 Northwestern University established an Emergency Operations Planning Group (EOPG) to review the adequacy of the existing Northwestern University Emergency Response Plan, the Emergency Operations Centers and the plans and resources allocated in support of their overall emergency operations. The group drafted a hazard identification and vulnerability assessment, and contacted James Lee Witt Associates (JLWA) to undertake a preliminary review of the report and work on a strategic plan to institutionalize a comprehensive program for continuity of operations and disaster recovery planning. The new plan would enhance the University's ability to withstand future disasters without harm to people, excessive loss of property or interruptions to the University mission.

The initial accomplishments of the EOPG allowed JLWA to focus on designing a tailored approach for assisting Northwestern, especially in the testing and validation phases of the project. The goals for JLWA's involvement were set out to bring attention to the importance of emergency preparedness on campus; provide a functional management plan that would be easily implemented in an emergency; and train and exercise University personnel on how to utilize the plan and perform their roles in the Emergency Operations Center.

JLWA was responsible for the following, in support of Northwestern's objectives:

• Updating the Emergency Response Management Plan

   

• Advising the University on the creation of a threat assessment group

   

• Training members of the EOC on their roles

   

• Designing and executing a table top exercise to practice EOC roles

   

• Writing an after-action report following the TTX to provide recommendations on additional training, planning and exercising to begin prioritizing in the next year.

JLWA worked with a group of stakeholders from each administrative department in the University to review, train and exercise the plan.  When developing the plan, the JLWA consulting team shared best practices and offered unique recommendations from decades of experience in working with colleges and universities on emergency management efforts. 

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