The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC-H) seeks to protect its community, facilities, and property from the effects of spontaneous, unpredictable emergency situations by establishing specific methodologies and procedures for coping with local emergencies.
The UTHSC-H provides documentation of a wide range of institutional support mechanisms that can be brought to bear in an institutional emergency--depending on the nature and extent of the crisis--in the Emergency Situation Response Plan (ESRP). The precautionary and response procedures outlined by the ESRP are designed to protect human and animal life; to limit or contain the extent of damage to facilities and property; to permit communication systems to function despite suspension of normal operating conditions; and, generally, to enable the institution to respond in a safe, orderly, and efficient manner.
It is the responsibility of the individual departments to be familiar with the content of the ESRP and to analyze their own safety liabilities and requirements in light of the considerations raised by it. Physical Safety may be used as a resource to identify sensitive or vulnerable operations and to assist in formulating suitable precautionary procedures.
The ESRP is revised annually so that it will remain as current as possible. The current edition of the detailed plan is distributed to the office of every dean and administrative operating unit director. Additional copies may be obtained from Physical Safety.
The impact of an emergency on the local environment and population may profoundly affect the institutional response of a health/service organization. Therefore, the ESRP distinguishes between events that involve the UTHSC-H only, and those that may implicate the region as a whole:
An emergency will be assigned a numerical value to indicate its seriousness, the extent of the area involved, and its potential threat to life or property. The numerical value enables the institution to respond appropriately to emergencies of varying kinds and proportions. A situation that appears to be immediately life-threatening will automatically be classified at the highest response level.
Teams will be established at the onset of an emergency to coordinate the institution's response, implement procedures, and monitor the progress of the situation. The President or Chief Operating Officer (or designee) will have final authority over the make-up of any control team in any emergency situation.
Once a response level is established, the team leader will be authorized to mobilize UTHSC-H staff and resources as required to deal effectively with the situation. Mobilization authority is designated by the President or Chief Operating Officer.
All public announcements, whether for news media or employees, require the authorization of the President or the Chief Operating Officer.
Updated 08/05
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