Office of Emergency Preparedness
Strategic Plan
“Provide a safe and secure environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors "
(2009, Radford University 7-17 Strategic Plan, Goal 2.4)
Introduction
The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to over 100 institutions of higher education. These institutions enroll and accommodate over 350,000 students on their campuses. With the addition of faculty, staff, administration and campus visitors there may be over 500,000 people on Virginia campus’s on any given day.
On September, 30th, 2011, Robert F. McDonnell, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, signed Executive Order No.41, Continuing Preparedness Initiatives in State Government and Affirmation of the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan legislation that rescinded and replaced Executive order No. 44 issued in January of 2007 by then Governor Tim Kaine.
With the obligation to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth as my primary duty, and by the virtue of authority vested in me by Article 5, Sections 1 and 7 of the Constitution of Virginia and by § 44-146.17 of the Code of Virginia, as Governor and Director of Emergency Management, I direct each executive branch agency of the Commonwealth, including institutions of higher education, to continue to include emergency preparedness planning and training as a core competence of their mission. This order affirms the continuing responsibility of each agency including institutions of higher education, to appoint an Emergency Coordination Officer (ECO) and at least one alternate. Under the guidance of the Emergency Coordination Officer, each agency shall maintain a current Continuity of Operations Plan as well as written Emergency Action Plans so that agencies are well prepared to respond to any disaster with full consideration given to the best interests of the protection of the citizens of the Commonwealth and its infrastructure. The Emergency Coordination Officer shall coordinate with the Department of Emergency Management with regard to Continuity of Operations Plan as well as training, testing and exercising the plan. (Executive Order No. 41, Sept 30, 2011)
Prior to the passage and signing of this legislation, the Virginia Higher Education Preparedness Consortium had been established in the fall of 2006. Thus, the state of Virginia and its educational institutions were engaged in examining and enacting policies that would address all facets of emergency management, including safety, security, and preparedness. This work was focused on the development of an all-hazards approach as a new, emerging emergency management model for higher education institutions. All of these activities were operational many months prior to the tragedy that occurred on the Virginia Tech campus on April 16, 2007.
Purpose
The Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) is tasked with the overall emergency operations planning and Continuity of Operations Planning for Radford University. The OEP is also responsible for emergency management training, planning, coordination, and implementation of all FEMA, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security related activities for Radford University including alert technologies, drills, and establishment of regional partnerships.
Mission Statement
The Radford University Office of Emergency Preparedness will provide a safe and secure environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors coming to the University and will strive to prevent the loss of life and reduce injuries and property damage during natural and man-made incidents/events through emergency management principles of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery .
Vision
The Office of Emergency Preparedness will be recognized as a leader in the implementation and application of emergency management practices to support the mission of the Radford University Strategic Plan 7-17. The success of this office will be defined especially by the safety, training, assessment and innovative and professional services to support and maintain a heightened safety and security posture on the Radford University campus.
Values
The Office of Emergency Preparedness adheres to the values articulated in the University mission statement and the goal 2.4 identified in the Radford University 7-17, Strategic Plan. The OEP is committed to continually researching and refining strategic objectives to meet the changing emergency management requirements of Radford University. In all aspects of administration and management, the Office of Emergency Preparedness seeks to utilize best practices in providing campus safety and security through sound emergency management principles of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
NOTE: A detailed comprehensive version of the OEP Strategic Plan with action plans is maintained by the Offcie of Emergency Preparedness.
NOTE: A detailed comprehensive version of the OEP Strategic Plan with action plans is maintained by the Offcie of Emergency Preparedness.
NOTE: A detailed comprehensive version of the OEP Strategic Plan with action plans is maintained by the Offcie of Emergency Preparedness.
NOTE: A detailed comprehensive version of the OEP Strategic Plan with action plans is maintained by the Offcie of Emergency Preparedness.
