Emergency Plans

Crisis & Emergency Management Plan

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is responsible for developing and maintaining tiered planning programs designed to encourage readiness at the lowest operational level. Formal planning initiatives include University-level plans (Crisis and Emergency Management Plan, University Continuity Plan, University Hazard Mitigation Plan) and department-level plans (Emergency Action Plans, Continuity Plans) along with ongoing outreach to support individual preparedness through planning.

Questions?
If you have questions about any of the University Emergency Plans, or would like assistance in developing a plan for your department, please contact OEM at (757) 683-5116 or oem@odu.edu.

University Plans

The ODU Crisis and Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) provides guidance for the University community and external partners to work together to manage incident, emergency, and event situations that may impact the health, safety, security, and/or mission continuity of the institution. Developed with community input, the CEMP serves as a regional plan that encompasses ODU operations throughout the region.

The CEMP provides guidance related to the following:

  • Incident and event management organization
  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Chain of command/lines of authority
  • Emergency Notification System Protocols
  • Emergency Operations Center management
  • Continuity operations
  • Plan administration and maintenance
  • Training and exercises
  • Special considerations (accessibility and inclusion for entire ODU community)
  • Hazard-specific preparedness/response/recovery

The CEMP serves as the overarching umbrella for all University and departmental planning documents. Building Emergency Action Plans and Departmental Continuity Plans, as well as the University Continuity Plan and Hazard Mitigation Plan, all support the CEMP. The plan addresses requirements set forth in Code of Virginia Section 23.1-804, as amended.

Most of the ODU community should be aware of the Crisis and Emergency Management Plan, to include students, parents, faculty, and staff. Local and regional (e.g., Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach) and state partners (e.g., Virginia Department of Emergency Management) should also be aware of the CEMP.

The CEMP's Basic Plan is intended to be readily available to the entire ODU community through electronic access. Personnel assigned roles and responsibilities in the plan receive a full copy.

The ODU University Continuity plan provides the framework for the institution to continue operations during or rapidly restore its mission and associated business functions in the event of a disruptive incident, emergency, or event. Not an emergency response plan, the University Continuity Plan employs business continuity best practices to encourage a seamless delivery of mission critical services and functions to the greater University community. The University Continuity Plan offers guidance on the following:

  • Orders of Succession
  • Delegation of Authority
  • Leadership and Staff
  • Primary Business Functions (e.g., Admissions, Finance, Information Technology Services, Public Safety, etc.)
  • Facilities within which to operate
  • Essential Records, Systems, Applications, and Equipment

This is a secure document not available online. For more information, contact oem@odu.edu

The University Hazard Mitigation Plan assesses the natural, human-caused, and technological hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities inherent to ODU. The plan, developed by a committee of campus stakeholders, identifies and prioritizes strategies for protecting people and property from potential harm or loss.

This is a secure document not available online. For more information, contact oem@odu.edu

Building & Departmental Plans

As referenced in University Policy 1021, each occupied campus building is required to complete and maintain a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP). The EAP development and maintenance process encourages readiness at the lowest operational management level to respond to disruptive incidents and events affecting a building and its occupants. Click the links below to download the current Building EAP template and a handy guide to assist with the plan development process. For more information and to schedule a meeting before starting your building's plan, contact Jerry Reed, Emergency Planner at j1reed@odu.edu.

As referenced in University Policy 1021, all departments are required to complete and maintain a written Continuity Plan for their unit. The Continuity Plan provides departments with the implementation guidance and structure necessary to maintain business operations during (or rapidly resume following) a disruptive incident or event. Click the links below to download the current Departmental Continuity Plan template and a handy guide to assist with the plan development process. For more information and to schedule a meeting before starting your department's plan, contact Jerry Reed, Emergency Planner at j1reed@odu.edu.