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Home > Emergency Management Committee

Emergency Communications, Communications Network, & Systems Recovery

Emergency Communications

Effective emergency communications are essential. The following is a description of a communications system that utilizes existing University resources to link Emergency Watch Teams and responders.

The IC is the chief information executive, and therefore the IC will approve all information provided by the University spokesperson regarding the incident to media, University Communications, and stakeholders.

The IC will appoint an alternate to serve in his/her absence. The ED represents the IC at the EOC.

Communications Network

In the event of a major emergency, Networking Services and Information Technologies (NSIT) staff will implement response and recovery procedures for data systems, voice networks, and financial systems.

In the event of a major emergency situation, NSIT will support the University response. NSIT responsibilities will include:

  1. Provide support to the University’s Emergency Operations Center, ensuring that voice and data services in the EOC are functional.
  2. Assist in emergency communications through voice and data networks if necessary.
  3. Initiate any required recovery operations for University voice and data networks.
  4. Provide all relevant telephone numbers, etc. combined with databases of existing information in a single available-on-demand system such as a PDA.
  5. Provide University officers with a satellite phone when traveling abroad or in isolated areas.
  6. Provide databases that contain scanned-in existing prints, current registrar and staff information, and available evacuation pre-plans.
  7. The database is available at the EOC and Site Command Post as online information to identify and locate persons who might be involved in an emergency.
  8. Hotlines are staffed desks provided to manage calls from students, parents, etc.
  9. Emergency text paging.
  10. The emergency network may access the network through secure wireless access points that are installed throughout the campus. The ED maintains a map depicting the locations of these points.
  11. The University will use the Emergency Web site format to communicate essential information to the University population.

Emergency Network Diagram

communications network

Systems Recovery

In the event that information systems are lost or disrupted due to physical damage, hardware failure, or software problems, NSIT staff members will take actions to recover lost systems or data. This may involve retrieval of backup data, replacement of equipment, or establishment of an alternate site.

Staff members will identify systems or applications that are critical and must be restored rapidly, as well as systems or applications that are less essential and can be deferred until full systems are available again.

In the event of a system disruption or disaster, key actions will include the following:

  1. Notification, assessment, and strategy development involves notification of staff recovery teams and assessment of the extent of damage or disruption. It also involves assessing the impact of the disruption on the University and developing a strategy that prioritizes systems for recovery.
  2. Short-term recovery involves restoring systems identified as critical to at least basic operation, whether at a temporary alternate site or other contingency arrangements.
  3. Full recovery involves full reconstitution of voice and data networks to normal operating condition.