Communications during a disaster are managed by the BUPD until the Command Center is established. As soon as the Command Center is established, notice will be made to the BUPD Dispatch Desk and the OFMP’s Emergency Control Desk. If appropriate, the Command Center phone number will be provided to outside agencies such as the Boston Fire Department or Boston Emergency Operations Center.

Depending on the type of disaster, the OFMP’s Emergency Control Desk may also play an important role. The Emergency Control Desk operates 7 days per week, 24 hours per day. The control desk dispatches and coordinates trade and custodial workers and monitors computerized physical plant alarm systems.

Communications between the Command Center and staff in the field will be accomplished with the University's 900 MHz trunked radio system, Nextel radios, and cellular telephones. As necessary, the Command Center will utilize email communications. If phone, radio and electronic communications are not adequate, messages may be delivered around campus by runners coordinated by the Office of Residence Life.

The Boston University community will receive the initial emergency notification through the Boston University Emergency Alert Service (BU Alert). The notification will also be posted on the University’s Home Page (www.bu.edu) Emergency Management web page (www.bu.edu/emergency) and BU Today (www.bu.edu/today). The University's Emergency Information Line, 358-SAFE (7233), as well as the cable television Emergency Alert System will have recorded messages on the status of the disaster for students, faculty and staff.

Informational updates will be periodically provided to the Boston University community via these same modalities. Sample pre-scripted emergency announcements will be found in Appendix J.

INFORMATIONAL UPDATES TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Periodic updates on the status of an emergency especially in the early hours will be provided to the University community primarily through the University’s Home Page (www.bu.edu) under the direction of the Office of Information Technology.  The University's Emergency Information Line, 358-SAFE (7233), and the University’s Emergency Closing Line, 353-SNOW (7669), will have recorded messages on the status of the disaster for faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni.  Pertinent information will also be posted in the University’s Home Page and if possible broadcast on WBZ 1030Am, WRKO 680 AM, WBMX 98.5 FM or WBUR 90.9 FM.  Pre-scripted announcements are presented in the BU CRC ERP, Appendix J to facilitate the development of specific update language.

• Overview
• Emergency Response Procedures
  • Notification of an Emergency Situation
  • Establishing a Command Center
  • Communications During a Disaster
  • Public and Media Relations
  • Staff Recall Plan
  • Overnight Accommodations and Transportation
  • Coordination with Outside Agencies
  • Emergency Assembly Areas
  • Homeland Security Threat Advisory
  • Power Interruption Plan (Under Revision)
  • Disaster Critiques and Plan Updates
  • Neighboring Facilities

July 8, 2008