Environment, Health and Safety

5.1 Cornell Emergency Plan

5.1 Cornell Emergency Plan

Cornell University organizes, coordinates, and directs available resources toward an effective response to, and recovery from emergencies under the Cornell Emergency Program. The effectiveness of this effort is dependent on the development of a comprehensive central plan and individual college/unit plans. The university, therefore, expects colleges, divisions and individual departments to develop detailed emergency plans. This policy includes a chain of command establishing the authority and responsibilities of campus officials and staff members, and requires that colleges, divisions, and individual departments designate emergency coordinators with the authority to make modifications in emergency procedures and to commit resources for emergency preparedness and recovery, as necessary. 

5.1.1 Unit Emergency Planning

5.1.1 Unit Emergency Planning

The Emergency Planning and Recovery system provides tools and guidance to colleges, divisions, and individual departments in developing detailed unit emergency plans. Policy 8.3 – Emergency Planning requires that every college and major administrative unit have designated emergency coordinators. The emergency coordinator should be a full-time member of the administrative team, and preferably an experienced employee who is thoroughly familiar with College/ Administrative Unit and University procedures. Knowledge of programs and physical facilities in their College/ Administrative Unit is also imperative. This person will coordinate their College's/Administrative Unit emergency plan as well as oversee that the College's/Administrative Unit each prepares a unit emergency plan. Each College/ Administrative Unit leader (e.g. Dean or Vice President) is responsible for designating an Emergency Coordinator. This person is responsible for gathering and communicating emergency information, coordinating and assisting in evacuations, maintaining emergency response forms and other emergency plan materials.

The Emergency Coordinator must be familiar with the programs and physical facilities, and should be a person with the management experience and authority to: 

  • Collaborate with departments to develop and maintain the information in the Unit Emergency Plan. 
  • Recruit a core "Emergency Preparedness Committee" that represents staff, faculty, and principal investigators from the unit's major sub-divisions or locations. 
  • Arrange related staff safety education and training. 
  • Coordinate resources for emergency preparedness and recovery. 
  • Purchase emergency supplies and equipment. 
  • Be ready to support managers during an emergency incident (and be called back to Cornell if necessary). 
  • Be ready to help prepare post-emergency impact summaries and insurance claims.

5.1.2 Fire Safety Plans

5.1.2 Fire Safety Plans

Fire safety planning is very important to the Cornell University community.  The University has developed campus-wide procedures to follow in the event of an emergency that must be posted in elevator lobbies, stairwells, and assembly spaces.  More information about fire safety plans can be found on the EHS Fire Safety web page.