Department of Emergency Management

Emergency Planning

A Coordinated Approach to Planning

Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility at Florida Atlantic University. Through coordinated planning, departments prepare for emergencies, reduce disruptions, and maintain essential operations.

University Emergency Planning

Florida Atlantic maintains a coordinated approach to emergency planning that guides how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) Basic Plan establishes the university's emergency management framework and outlines responsibilities and procedures across all five phases of emergency management.

View Florida Atlantic's CEMP

Unit Emergency Planning

Every university department plays a role in keeping Florida Atlantic prepared. Unit emergency plans help departments protect personnel, respond to emergencies, maintain essential functions, and restore operations following a disruption.

The Department of Emergency Management provides planning templates, guidance, and feedback to help departments develop and maintain their plans.

  • Review your department's emergency plans using the appropriate planning templates.
  • Send your completed plans to the Department of Emergency Management for review.
  • Check your submission status and any feedback form Emergency Management.
  • Address identified gaps and resubmit plans that require additional work.
  • Review and update approved plans as part of the annual planning cycle and when department operations change.

Unit Emergency Response Plans outline how departments prepare for and respond to emergencies affecting their personnel, facilities, and operations.

At a minimum, your UERP must address:

  • Emergency preparedness procedures

  • Evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures

  • Facility damage assessment

  • Emergency costs and labor tracking

Link: Download the Unit Emergency Response Plan Template

Unit Continuity of Operations Plans help departments identify essential functions and establish how they will maintain or restore those functions during disruptions.

At a minimum, your UCOOP must address:

  • Leadership succession and delegation of responsibilities

  • Emergency notification and communication procedures

  • Identification of essential functions

  • Resources needed to maintain essential functions, including facilities, equipment, and information systems

  • Procedures for restoring normal operations

Select the template that applies to your department:

For academic colleges: Download the College Continuity of Operations Plan Template

For all other university units: Download the General Continuity of Operations Plan Template

Once your department completes its UERP and UCOOP, submit both plans through the university's planning portal.

The Department of Emergency Management will review your submissions and notify your designated plan submitters of their status.

Submit Unit Emergency Plans

Approved Plans

When your plans meet the minimum requirements of the annual Unit Emergency Planning cycle, the Department of Emergency Management will email your designated plan submitters to confirm approval.

The department may also provide recommendations to help strengthen your plans during future updates.

Plans Requiring Revisions

If your submission does not meet the minimum planning requirements, the Department of Emergency Management will return it for revisions and identify the areas that need attention.

Your department must address the identified issues and resubmit its plans to meet the annual planning requirements. Until the department submits plans that meet these requirements, its planning status will remain noncompliant.

Need Help With Emergency Planning?

Our team helps university departments strengthen their preparedness through planning guidance.
Explore Emergency Management Training & Support Services