UW Emergency Management

When to contact UW Emergency Management

Scope of responsibility

University of Washington Emergency Management (UWEM) shares responsibility for life-safety, incident stabilization, property preservation and environmental protection across all University of Washington property under Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 13.1

UWEM is an all-hazards (natural and man-made) department with its primary role in planning, mitigation and preparedness and supportive roles in response, in cooperation with University Police, University EH&S and other emergency response agencies. UWEM is the primary university organization resposible for EOC activation and management and is the designated liaison with other local, regional, statewide and national emergency management agencies and organizations.

If dispatched to an on-scene incident response, UWEM will work with the Incident Commander in a supportive planning and logistics role. If necessary, UWEM will assist the Incident Commander by contacting other key departments and leadership within the University or with outside partners to meet the needs of the incident. The primary role of Emergency Management on any scene is to facilitate incident coordination and support unified command. UWEM duty officers are well-trained in the Incident Command System.

When to bring UWEM into an incident

Does the incident have any one of the following:

  • A displaced building population?
  • Potential for campus-wide impact or disruption?
  • Potential for multiple operation periods?
  • Potential for a large emergency response to the Campus?
  • Potential for a large media response to the Campus?
  • Need to address complex needs of the incident?

Contact the UWEM duty officer early in the incident

If it resolves to nothing, then we consider it a good opportunity to practice together. However, if the incident escalates, UWEM can help manage it with joint planning and coordination of the response and by bringing in additional resources from inside and outside the UW, if necessary.  Partners may email disaster@uw.edu to obtain further contact information.

How to contact UWEM 24×7

Sending an email (email is not monitored 24/7)

  1. If this is an emergency please call 911
  2. In the TO: line, type disaster@uw.edu  
  3. Please provide us a brief description of your needs
  4. We will get back with you in a timely manner

Emergency Management partners may email disaster@uw.edu to obtain further contact information