Simulated crisis on the UAF campus

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
08/18/05

A simulated crisis was conducted on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus Aug. 18. The exercise was used to walk through business resumption plans, life-safety decisions, communication plans and public relations.

The scenario, developed by the Center for National Response in Maryland, included an early morning mock fire at the Administrative Services Building at 329 College Road. The building houses the offices of human resources, financial services, the vice chancellor for administrative services, purchasing, grants and contracts, the federal contracting office and the UA Technology Center.

The second phase included a scenario at the Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Complex residence halls on the UAF campus where there were multiple reports of illnesses. As part of the training, the University Fire Department initially responded to the residence halls. The scenario then called for two fatalities to be discovered at the scene. The National Guard 101st Civil Support Team from Boise, Idaho, was called in to assess the situation and identify an unknown substance.

The exercise included a group who claimed responsibility for both events.

The drill allowed university administrators to practice crisis management procedures and discuss interagency coordination, evacuation scenarios and communication needs.

This practice event also provided an opportunity to remind the public how they would get campus information in an actual emergency. Information may be disseminated through fax or e-mail, local news broadcasts, the UAF recorded hotline at 474-7UAF (474-7823) or UAF’s online newsroom at www.uaf.edu/news/ .