Essential Personnel Program
The Department of Human Resources manages Florida Atlantic University's Essential Personnel program. For more information on the Essential Personnel program, please visit the Department of Human Resources' website
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Non-FAU Essential Personnel Program
Registration Form for Non-FAU Essential Personnel
The Department of Emergency Management manages the non-FAU Essential Personnel program. Non-FAU Essential Personnel are individuals who perform critical operations, functions, and tasks for the University, but are employed through an outside vendor and/or contract service providers.
This may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Food and Dining Services
- Postal Services
- Grounds Maintenance
All University Units that oversee and/or manage the contracts for such services are responsible for ensuring that non-FAU Essential Personnel information is up-to-date.
A list of personnel will be provided to the Florida Atlantic Police Department for access control purposes. All non-FAU Essential Personnel will need to present a current, active form of identification, such as a driver's license, to gain access to FAU's sites and campuses.
To update contact information, remove individuals from the program, or add non-FAU Employees to the program , please utilize the Non-FAU Essential Personnel Form. Forms that are not fully completed will not be accepted.
Any questions or requests for the Non-FAU Essential Personnel Form can be directed to the Department of Emergency Management at em@fau.edu .
Unit emergency plans (UERP & Ucoop)
Per University Policy 3.4.1, Emergency Management, all University units are required to have Unit Emergency Response Plans (UERP) and Unit Continuity of Operations Plans (UCOOP). Some University units may also be required to have additional or more specific plans in place, such as Pandemic Plans and Stadium Emergency Operations Plans, as deemed appropriate.
To be in compliance with unit planning efforts, all Units are required to submit one (1) UERP and one (1) UCOOP to the Department of Emergency Management on an annual basis .
A unit is defined as an entity or group of entities that shares similar essential functions, such as a division, department, college, office, or center.
Submission Requirements
Units can submit their UERP and UCOOP here
Unit Emergency Response Plan (UERP)
At a minimum, UERP submissions must address the following:
- Preparing for emergency events;
- Evacuating and shelter-in-place procedures;
- Assessing damage to facilities; and
- Emergency costs and labor tracking
The UERP template can be found here.
Unit Continuity of Operations Plan (UCOOP)
At a minimum, UCOOP submissions must address the following:
- Succession planning;
- Notification/Communication procedures;
- Identification of essential functions;
- Establishment of means to support essential functions (i.e., space, equipment, databases); and
- Reconstitution procedures.
For the ten (10) Colleges of the University, the UCOOP template can be found here.
For all other Units, the UCOOP template can be found here.
Submission Results
Approvals
Units that have met the minimum requirements of the annual Unit Emergency Planning cycle will receive an email from the Department of Emergency Management noting their submission approval and including recommendations to improve their emergency plans.
Rejections
Units that do not meet the minimum requirements of the annual Unit Emergency Planning cycle will have their submissions rejected and be marked as not in compliance.
The Department of Emergency Management will disseminate an email to the Unit Plan Submitters with a rejection statement explaining why the submission was rejected.
To comply, rejected plans must be resubmitted to the Department of Emergency Management.
University Emergency Plans
The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Florida Atlantic University has an extensive portfolio of emergency management plans. The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) - Basic Plan serves as the overarching emergency plan, providing the framework and guidance for all five phases of emergency management. The goal is to coordinate university resources to prepare for and prevent potential emergencies whenever possible, and deal efficiently with the effects of these events when they do occur; to respond to save and protect lives and protect infrastructure, resources, and the environment; and to promote a means to recover and resume normal operations and continue critical functions and essential services of the University. In all of these efforts, the University will continue to mitigate as many hazards as possible to promote a disaster-resilient community.
CEMP Annexes
The CEMP is complemented by several types of plans that further describe the specific or unique courses of action that University units and external partner agencies may take in response to particular threats and hazards affecting the University. These annexes are based on special requirements not standard to other hazards/threats or the ones addressed in the Emergency Support Function Annex to perform the function adequately in the face of a particular high-priority hazard/threat, and on regulatory considerations that may require extensive, detailed planning that is inappropriate for inclusion in the ESF Annex.
Unit Plans
Unit emergency planning is vital to the University units' ability to respond to and recover from emergency events effectively. The University has integrated a comprehensive unit-specific planning picture. Included are a Unit Emergency Response Plan and a Unit Continuity of Operations Plan. Please visit the Unit Planning Page to access unit planning guidance documents, unit plan templates, to submit your completed plans, as well as to view more information or request assistance.
University Policy on Emergency Management
Florida Atlantic University is committed to safeguarding the welfare of students, faculty, staff and visitors and protecting the University's essential functions during and after emergencies. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that FAU is prepared for and can effectively respond to and recover from an emergency through the appropriate use of university and community resources.
An emergency is any event, whether expected or unexpected, that places life or significant university assets in danger, or threatens the ability to conduct normal business operations and usually involves abnormal time constraints and resource response.
This policy applies to all FAU units and areas, including colleges, divisions, departments, programs, research centers, or other operating units.
Click Here for more information on University Policy 1.14: Emergency Management
Emergency Kits
Emergency kits (home kits, car kits, FAU unit emergency kits, first aid kits, shelter kits, etc.) contain several survival items that can help an individual survive and stay safe in emergencies. These kits are simply collections of basic items you may need in an emergency. It is recommended that these kits be assembled well in advance of an emergency, in case you have to evacuate or shelter in place at a moment’s notice and need to take or have essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies at that point.
It is also recommended that you have enough supplies to survive on your own after an emergency. FEMA recommends that the general public stock at least 72 hours’ worth of supplies. It is also important to update the kit annually.
Emergency supply kits serve different functions depending on the need. Each kit contains a few common, key supplies; however, the rest of the contents will vary depending on the purpose. For instance, a staff member at FAU needs many kits depending on the roles they serve: as a member of a household, they will need to have a family kit; as a University Essential Person, they will need to have a university essential personnel kit; and as a commuter to work, they will need to have a kit with all necessary tools should the vehicle breakdown. Don’t forget to prepare a pet kit as well.
University Essential Personnel
University Residential Students
Shelter Residents
Emergency Personnel
Evacuees
Travelers
Emergency Volunteers
Office
Home
Car
Dorm Room
Pet
Non-perishable food; canned food, ready-to-eat meals, baby food, etc.
Medication (including means to refrigerate medication that needs to be held as such)
Can Opener
First Aid supplies: bandages, band-aids, gauze, anti-bacterial ointment, etc.
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
Moist towelettes
Batteries
Disposable plates, glasses, utensils
NOAA/Weather Radio
Here are some of the items and supplies that you should include in your emergency kit:
Games
Cot
Blanket
Pillow
Earplugs
Keys to buildings
Notification/call trees (unit, other FAU units, external contacts)
Emergency plans
Floor plans
Essential Personnel Card
Food & Water (including receptacles)
Pet Carrier
Toys
Poop Bags
Medication
Collar and Leash
Blanket/Bed I.D. tag
First Aid Supplies
Friends
Work
Veterinarian/Clinic
Bank
Utilities
Hospitals
Credit card companies
Driver’s License
Social Security Card
Passport
Health Insurance Card
SkyWarn® is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service’s (NWS) severe weather spotting program with nearly 290,000 trained volunteers nationwide.
The NWS’s mission is to protect lives and property. When weather conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms or tornadoes to develop, a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado WATCH is issued. A Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado WARNING is issued when severe weather has been reported by a Skywarn spotter or indicated by Doppler radar.
Skywarn volunteers become the NWS’s and local Emergency Management’s eyes and ears, helping to provide better weather watch and warning services.
Storm Spotter Program
FAU Storm Spotters is a university-wide network of volunteers trained by the NWS to report significant weather. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
The NWS and/or the local emergency management authorities may activate the Storm Spotter net whenever there is a threat of severe weather or the NWS issues a Severe Thunderstorm or Tornado Watch. In this case, information may be relayed through amateur radio repeaters.
If you would like to join our storm spotter team, please send a request via email to em@fau.edu.
A Guide to Reporting Severe Weather:
What to Report:
Urgent Priority
Tornado
Funnel Cloud
Rotating Wall Cloud
Flash Flood
High Priority
Hail 3/4 inch diameter or larger
Wind speed greater than 58mph
Persistent non-rotating wall cloud
Rainfall 1 inch or more per hour
Low Priority
Hail 1/2 inch diameter or larger
Wind speed greater than 40mph
Cloud features suggesting storm organization
Other locally-defined criteria
Do Not Report
Lightning
Small hail (less than dime size)
Wind speed less than 40mph
Non-flooding rainfall
Damage not weather-related
WIND SPEED ESTIMATES
Speed (mph) Effects
25-30 Large branches in motion; whistling in utility wires; empty trash cans blown several yards; hats blow off
31-40 Whole trees in motion; leaves and twigs blown off; difficult to handle high-profile vehicles; small umbrellas damaged
41-57 Large palm fronds down; weak branches (e.g., umbrella trees) broken; ripe fruit blown off the tree; patio furniture and potted plants overturned; difficult driving all vehicles; umbrellas destroyed
58-73 Large tree limbs broken; shallow-rooted trees pushed over; unripe fruit blown off trees; awnings/antennae twisted; porch screening ripped loose; mobile homes damaged; signs bent, and some traffic signals downed; some truck trailers toppled; difficulty walking
74-110 (Hurricane strength) Numerous trees uprooted; highway signs blown down or twisted; screened patios heavily damaged; windows broken; some shingles blown off frame houses; mobile homes severely damaged; utility wires down; cars overturned; unable to stand without holding on.
How to Report
Telephone severe weather observations immediately to the University Police at (561) 297-3500. When in doubt, make your report anyway.
Identify yourself as a trained Storm Spotter and provide your SkyWarn® certification number.
Provide your name and location.
Give the details. Always use the “Four Ws” when reporting.
What you saw:
Report any strong winds (50 mph or greater) or any wind that produces damage.
Report any hail. Evaluate hail size in comparison to a coin (dime, nickel, penny, quarter). Not to mention “marble” size hail.
Report funnel clouds, wall clouds, tornadoes, or water spouts. Remember, rotation and persistence are the keys!
Report damage (even well after the event).
Report flooding.
When you saw it:
The direction and distance from a known location or intersection.
When you saw it:
Make sure you note the time of the observation.
What it is doing:
Describe the storm’s direction and speed of travel, size, intensity, and destructiveness.
1. Communications & Coordination Center
FAU has a "24-hour warning point" to receive National Weather Service information and provide local reports and advice. This operation is the University Police Dispatch Center. Our 24-hour warning point:
Operates 24/7/365.
Receives notification from the local municipalities and counties when severe weather alerts are announced.
Activates modules within the FAU Alert System.
FAU also has an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Members of the EOC include senior administration, key decision-makers, and emergency management staff. The University President or their designee can activate the EOC in accordance with established procedures.
2. National Weather Service Warning Reception
The University Police Dispatch Center and EOC receive National Weather Service warnings from multiple sources that include:
NOAA Weather Radio.
Private sector web-based providers and direct internet access to National Weather Service information and warnings.
Statewide and local municipality, county, and state telecommunications.
Local radio and television broadcasts.
3. Hydrometeorological Monitoring
In addition to the above sources of weather information, FAU utilizes the internet and mobile device access as a means of gathering ancillary weather information, including high-definition and Doppler radar.
4. Warning Dissemination
FAU Alert modules may be utilized as a means of ensuring timely warnings to the University community.
5. University Community Preparedness
FAU recognizes the value of educating students, faculty, and staff about severe weather and how to respond appropriately to weather threats. Members of our University community are more likely to seek additional methods for receiving weather warnings, recognize potentially threatening weather situations, and act appropriately when severe weather strikes when they have participated in awareness programs. To that end, FAU:
Conducts preparedness presentations and talks.
Promotes and encourages attending a National Weather Service SKYWARN weather spotter training when offered.
6. Administrative
Senior administration and key leadership at FAU support the requirements of the StormReady® program. Written plans and procedures have been formally developed and are maintained to provide:
Emergency Response and Continuity of Operations.
Storm spotter activation criteria, reporting procedures, roster, and training record.
Standard operating procedures for activation of the FAU Alert System.
Exercises and training
Units can request this workshop here.
No, the Unit does not need to resubmit plans that have been considered in fulfillment of requirements.
The Department of Emergency Management recommends implementing the recommendations received to enhance the Unit's preparedness and readiness.
Resubmit the plan(s) once the Unit has completed the items identified in the rejection statement. Plans can be resubmitted here.
Please email the Department of Emergency Management with further questions on rejected plans (em@fau.edu).
University Policy on Emergency Management
Florida Atlantic is committed to safeguarding the welfare of students, faculty, staff, and visitors and to protecting the University’s essential functions during and after emergencies.
An emergency is any event, whether expected or unexpected, that endangers life, significant University assets, or the ability to conduct normal business operations. Such events typically involve unusual time constraints and require an immediate and coordinated response of resources.
“University Policy 3.4.1: Emergency Management” is one resource outlining how Florida Atlantic is prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies through the coordinated use of University and community resources. This policy applies to all members of the University community, including faculty, staff, students, volunteers, contractors, and visitors across all Florida Atlantic campuses, sites, and facilities. Locations that are co-located with other organizations may have additional considerations that affect the implementation of this policy.
Click Here for more information on University Policy 3.4.1: Emergency Management
StormReady®
Florida Atlantic University is a StormReady® University. All FAU campuses are recognized as StormReady®.
Approximately 90% of all presidentially declared disasters are weather related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in damage. StormReady® began in 1999 to help communities validate their communication capabilities and safety skills needed to respond to severe weather. StormReady® communities are better prepared through improved planning, education, and awareness programs. While no community is storm proof, being StormReady® does help save lives.