Emergency Plan

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Printer-formatted Checklist

Checklist 1-C

Assignment: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO)
Checklist	1-C
Position	DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Section	MANAGEMENT/COMMAND SUPPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
	Remain calm.
	Evacuate if incident affects your building or office. Do not go to the incident site.
	Turn on your cellular phone.
	If your office or building is not affected, go to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). (If unable to report to EOC, call Dispatch at 619-594-1991.)
	Open Media Center.
	Ensure that all information is clear, concise, confirmed and approved by appropriate authority before release to the media or public. Do not release unconfirmed information or speculate on the extent of the emergency, despite urging by reporters to do so.
	Gather information on the emergency situation and response actions.
	Assign a Public Information Representative, if appropriate, to:
	Establish Media Control Point near incident site.
	Keep EOC staff informed of the media situation at the incident site.
	Establish and release "media only" telephone number(s).
	Monitor published and broadcast Emergency Public Information (EPI) for accuracy. Correct serious misinformation whenever possible.
	Maintain Emergency Public Information (EPI) status boards and maps. Post hard copy of news releases.
	Attend periodic EOC briefings and policy meetings.
	Consider additional methods for distributing emergency instructions as required.
	Schedule media briefings/press conferences and tours as conditions permit.
	Arrange for media access to the EOC, command staff and incident site when appropriate.
	Establish a center for rumor control.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
	Release emergency instructions/information to faculty, staff and students about the emergency and what steps individuals should take.
	Release emergency instructions/information to the electronic and print media.
	Produce news releases as required.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO CONSIDER
	Communicating the problem to the campus community:
	Members of the campus community need to know the problem is being handled and what they (students, faculty and staff) should do. When can they help and how can they help?
	Closure:
	Will the incident require the closure of campus? What is the best process to communicate this information? When will the academic process resume?

Dial 9-1-1 for any emergency and University Police will respond.

Last updated September 18, 2007
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