UW Emergency Management (UWEM) is a department within the UW’s Division of Campus Community Safety. We provide technical and consulting services for the Seattle campus and act as a liaison to other university locations (Bothell, Tacoma, UW Medicine, Friday Harbor, South Lake Union, etc…). Our team delivers individual and group training, workshops, seminars, drills and exercises and distributes general materials to help the campus community prepare for campus crises, disasters and major emergency incidents.
With input from our stakeholders, we facilitate the development and implementation of local unit/department-based plans, encourage individual preparedness efforts and promote programs and projects that promote institution-wide disaster resilience. Together with our internal and external partners, we accomplish this through structured planning and training, identification of mitigation actions, supporting effective response efforts, and promotion of sound prevention actions — all with the goal of shortening the impact and length of time involved in recovery efforts.
Some Big Changes coming to UWEM
February 1, 2023
2023 will see some big changes in the way the UW will address it's approach to disaster preparedness. On the heels of the release of two independent program reviews in 2022 and in an effort to refresh and build upon the many successful efforts over the past 20 years, a number of major initiatives are being planned to give more visibility and much-needed support for this critical University program. Beginning with last year's sunset of the old ERC advisory committee and appointment of a new Preparedness Oversight Committee, hiring a new Continuity & Resilience Planning Manager (vacant throughout the pandemic) and initiating a hiring search for a new UWEM Director to guide the program in a new direction ... change is in the air. As part of a larger attempt to "re-imagine campus safety" with the establishment of a new Division of Campus Community Safety, UW leadership is looking to elevate the University's disaster resilience posture by building on the many successful UWEM programs and applying lessons-learned from past experiences.
How Can You Participate in The Great Shakeout?
October 13, 2022
Millions of individuals around the world will be participating in the 2022 Great Shakeout and we hope that you will join them. Participation in the drill is not limited to conducting a Drop, Cover, Hold On drill, there are many other ways that you can participate as well. Below are just some of the ways that you can be more involved!
- Review, update, or test your business continuity plans
- Conduct an communication or decision making exercise
- Meet with your office or department staff and discuss preparedness during a brown bag session
- Check out some of the education videos the USGS offers
- Have a scavenger hunt around the building to identify where key items such as preparedness kits, fire extinguishers, and other items needed post earthquake are located
- Live or work near a coastal area? Test out your tsunami evacuation route
- Take a look at your personal preparedness kits see if you need to update them. What do you have in your car, home, or work kits?
The Great UW ShakeOut 2022 is coming!
October 11, 2022
WHY?As the world is recovering from the longstanding COVID-19 pandemic, let's turn our attention back to another threat that could suddenly and dramatically impact our lives... an earthquake! Did you know that the biggest natural hazard threat here in the Pacific Northwest, is earthquakes?
While Washington State does not experience earthquakes as frequently as, California or Alaska...when we are hit with the next 7, 8, or 9 magnitude earthquake, the results will be devastating and potentially catastrophic. One of the main reasons for this is when people aren't accustomed to experiencing earthquakes on a regular basis, they are less likely to become prepared for one!
WHAT?
Well, lucky for you the 2022 Great UW ShakeOut is just around the corner! The UW's participation is part of the Great ShakeOut, a (inter)national program that encourages and supports organizations and individuals alike to practice what every person should do when an earthquake hits: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. Join over 41 million other people on October 20th in this important event
Of course, there is nothing we can do to stop an earthquake; so the very first (and most important) thing to consider during an earthquake is life safety. Studies have shown that people injured during an earthquake are either hit by objects inside of a building that are not bolted down or secured, or as a result of trying to run out or immediately evacuate a building. It is for this reason that the standard response to the ground shaking is to DROP, COVER,&HOLD ON! The Great UW ShakeOut is an opportunity for everyone to practice this action and develop a little bit of muscle memory for the real event.
WHEN?
Once again, all 3 main UW campuses will be testing our UW Alert notification system around the same time as part of the national Great ShakeOut earthquake drill - this year happening around 9:00am on Thursday, October 20, 2022. There are many ways to participate in the drill beyond getting the notification, or even practicing DROP, COVER, & HOLD ON. For example, your team/roommates/class could talk about emergency planning, take inventory of emergency supplies, practice evacuation procedures, and so on. The level of participation in the Great UW Shakeout is up to you and totally voluntary.
ANYTHING ELSE?
Yes! We created a flyer for you to print and post in your area, department, or building. Download it here. And then keep an eye out for a few more preparedness tips and specific resources that UW Emergency Management has to offer you and your team. Click HERE for more detailed information on how you, your family, your UW peers and others can prepare NOW for the "Big One!
Questions? email disaster@uw.edu
WE'VE MOVED!!! A New Era Begins for Campus Safety
September 29, 2022
(Sept. 28, 2022) It's official. A brand-new organization at the UW was launched today with the establishment of the UW Division of Campus Community Safety. UWEM, along with UW Police (Seattle campus) and Safe Campus, is now part of a consolidated organization with a common, shared Mission. The new Division is a result of a recommendation from a recent "re-imagining public safety" initiative proposed by President Cauce last December. Click HERE for a more detailed UW News story on this exciting new organization and how UWEM will build even stronger ties with our partners and the UW community.
We're Hiring Again! Continuity & Resiliency Program Manager
August 30, 2022
After a long hiatus (thanks a lot, pandemic!), we are happy to announce that the UW is actively recruiting a CONTINUITY & RESILIENCY PROGRAM MANAGER. As the University’s lead continuity manager and training subject matter expert, this position will provide leadership on technical and practical tools for UW researchers, administrators, faculty and staff in the development of their business, academic and research continuity of operation plans. The Continuity & Resiliency Program Manager leverages policies, available tools and resources and teams to support departments and units toward their compliance with UW and other regulatory requirements for maintaining and updating plans. This position helps to ensure that mission-critical university functions are able to maintain core/essential operations and functions, and quickly and efficiently recover after a crisis, disaster or emergency incident. Interested in the position? Want more information or are you ready to apply? Just click HERE to be taken directly to the online job posting and application site.
