SCOPE

 

This policy applies to emergency notifications sent by the University regarding incidents that occur on on-campus property at UC San Diego as defined by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC Section 1092(f)(6)).

 

The medical facilities that are located on on-campus property (collectively, the “East Campus Medical Center (“ECMC”)) use a tiered notification system for emergencies that may impact their hospital or clinical settings in addition to receiving Triton Alerts that are issued pursuant to this Policy. A map of ECMC can be found at Appendix A to this Policy.

 

 

POLICY SUMMARY

 

Introduction

 

The University of California San Diego provides emergency notifications to members of our campus community and the public upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation occurring on campus that involves an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees.

 

As required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), UC San Diego has developed and maintains a system known as the “TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification” system, which is used to immediately inform the UC San Diego community upon confirmation of an emergency or dangerous situation that involves an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees.

 

If an event occurs at the ECMC that may impact the hospital or clinical settings, including an emergency or dangerous situation, the ECMC will activate its Emergency Operations Plan. If the event constitutes an emergency or dangerous situation that has the potential to impact the (non-medical) campus, a TRITON ALERT will also be issued as described in this Policy.

 

Reporting Emergencies - All members of the UC San Diego community should report emergencies to the UC San Diego Police Department by calling 9-1-1. The UC San Diego Police Department can request other emergency responders, such as Fire or Paramedics, in addition to local law enforcement.

 

Any situation or incident that involves a significant emergency or danger that may pose an immediate or on-going threat to the health and safety of students, employees and/or visitors on campus should be reported immediately.

 

DEFINITIONS

None

 

 

POLICY

 

1.              When Emergency Notifications are Sent

 

A.       TRITON ALERTS

 

Upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation which presents an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees, UC San Diego will without delay, and taking into account the safety of the community, determine the content of the notification and initiate the TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification system, unless issuing a notification will, in the professional judgment of responsible authorities, compromise efforts to assist a victim or to contain, respond to, or otherwise mitigate the emergency.

 

The types of emergencies that may trigger a TRITON ALERT include, but are not limited to: an approaching tornado, hurricane or other extreme weather condition; a structure or wildland fire; an outbreak of meningitis, norovirus, or other serious contagious illness; a natural disaster; gas leak; active shooter or armed intruder; a bomb threat; civil unrest or rioting; an explosion; a terrorist incident; a nearby chemical or hazardous materials spill; or a significant impact power outage.

 

A TRITON ALERT will be sent for emergencies affecting ECMC if the emergency threatens the health and safety of students and employees beyond the ECMC, or if there is a need for the community outside of the ECMC to be informed of the emergency in order to stay away from the area. The issuance of an ECMC alert typically does not replace the obligation to issue a TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification if one is required.

 

B.       ECMC Alerts

 

The ECMC will activate its Emergency Operations Plan and issue one of four different alert levels in the event a situation or emergency may impact its hospital or clinical settings.

 

Level 1 Activation (Alert/Monitoring) occurs when advance notice is received about an incident that has the potential to produce casualties or disrupt normal business operations. The hospital is not currently impacted by the incident (e.g., a severe thunderstorm, a notification about a train accident with no known casualties at that time). 

 

Level 2 (Minor) Activation occurs when there is an incident having a minor impact on hospital operations. This type of activation typically occurs when an incident impacts one or two departments or a small part of operations, its scope is limited and of short duration. The Campus Emergency Manager is also notified.

 

Level 3 (Moderate) Activation occurs when an incident has a moderate impact on operations. This type of activation typically occurs when an incident impacts about half of hospital operations and requires substantial support. The Campus Emergency Manager is also notified.

 

Level 4 (Major) Activation occurs when there is an incident with likely significant impact on operations, including the potential for long duration. This type of activation is considered significant, meaning that nearly all normal activities in the hospital are disrupted and the focus of most leadership and staff is on the incident. The Campus Emergency Manager is also notified.

 

2.              Content of Emergency Notifications

 

A.       Emergency Instructions

 

TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications will contain a brief description of the emergency with instructions about what to do. Instructions should be followed immediately. If the emergency affects only a small portion of UC San Diego and is unlikely to impact the larger community, a TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification may be made only to the group affected; this decision will be made by the UC San Diego Police Department Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Watch Commander or the UC San Diego Campus Emergency Manager.

 

The ECMC Alerts will contain instructions that are applicable to the Alert Level.

 

B.       Evacuations

 

In the event an evacuation of a portion or all of the campus is needed, the TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification will describe those evacuation procedures. The Emergency Operations and Incident Management Plan (EOP) and the Emergency Management web page also include evacuation guidelines that will be used in the event of a campus evacuation.

 

In the event an evacuation of part or all of the ECMC is needed, the Emergency Operations Plan Alerts will provide the hospital community with instructions about evacuation procedures.

 

C.       Follow-up Information

 

After the initial TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification, follow-up information will be distributed by additional TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications, as needed, until the emergency or threat has concluded and an all-clear message has been sent. Updates and follow-up information will also be added to the UC San Diego homepage or the Campus Emergency Current Status page, or another website created specifically for the emergency as appropriate.

 

The ECMC issues an all-clear message for Level 2-4 Alerts. Because a Level 1 Alert is informational only, the Hospital Command Center is not opened and an all-clear message is not required.

 

3.              Types of TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications

 

A.       E-MAIL to Official UC San Diego Accounts

 

When it has been determined that a TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification is required, an e-mail will be sent to all students, faculty and staff at their official ucsd.edu e-mail address. The university-wide e-mail subject line will be “TRITON ALERT.” University students, faculty and staff may not opt-out of receiving TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications sent to their official UC San Diego email account.

 

B.       TEXT to Mobile Numbers

 

On an annual basis, all UC San Diego students, faculty and staff will be asked to provide text message contact information to be used solely for the purpose of receiving TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications or as part of a drill to test the TRITON ALERT Emergency

Notification system. In order to receive TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications via text message, individuals must provide accurate and up-to-date contact information. Students, faculty and staff are reminded to update their contact numbers once a year and are advised to update the information sooner if it changes. Contact information may be updated at the Triton Alert Emergency Notifications page. UC San Diego strongly encourages all students, faculty and staff to provide contact information for text messages; however, individuals may opt-out from receiving TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications sent via text message. Opt- out information may be found at the Triton Alert FAQ page.

 

Standard text messaging rates apply.

 

C.       Additional Methods of Providing TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications/Emergency Information

 

Telephone, loudspeakers, bullhorns, Talkaphone Callboxes, UC San Diego Police Department vehicle public address systems, building fire alarm systems or paper postings are methods that may also be used to relay information in an emergency or threatening situation.

 

Emergency information may also be provided through announcements to TritonLink, campus emergency status messages, social media websites, and the UC San Diego Radio Station (1610 AM).

 

4.              Types of Emergency Notifications at ECMC

 

Level 1 Alert - Key personnel alerted via page, text or email.

 

Level 2 Alert - Key personnel alerted via page, text or email - Opening of the Hospital Command Center with limited positions assigned as the situation warrants.

 

Level 3 Alert - Key personnel alerted via page, text or email - activation of Hospital Incident Command System team. Enhanced management in the Hospital Command Center is required. 

 

Level 4 Alert - All staff notified via page, text, email and overhead announcement system.

 

5.              Emergency Information via Web Sites

 

The following web sites may also contain local emergency information:

 

1.     UC San Diego homepage

 

2.     UC San Diego Emergency Status website

 

3.     UC San Diego Police Department website

 

4.     San Diego County Emergency homepage

 

5.     UC San Diego Health homepage

 

Or an additional website created for the emergency by UC San Diego, if appropriate

 

6.              EXCEPTION to USE of TRITON ALERT/ECMC Alerts for Providing Information in an On-Going Emergency

 

In the event an emergency is prolonged, such as in the case of a pandemic, UC San Diego may use additional methods of communication to provide on-going information, resources and guidance relating to the emergency to the campus community in addition to TRITON ALERTS/ECMC Alerts. The purpose of these communications is to keep the campus community informed of day-to-day operational needs or changes relating to the emergency without necessarily relating to an escalation in the emergency itself.  These types of notifications include emails, text messages, social media postings, website postings, and town halls and may be issued to segments of the population as needed. The decision to issue these communications and the content of these communications will be determined by the Chancellor’s or other Cabinet-level offices as appropriate.  These notifications do not replace Triton Alerts or ECMC alerts.

 

7.              TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification Tests / Drills

 

A full-scale test of the TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification system will occur at least once a year. One of the tests will generally be performed in conjunction with a regional drill or exercise. The University will publicize its emergency response and evacuation procedures in conjunction with the annual test. For each test, the University documents a description of the exercise, the date and time, and whether it was announced or unannounced. Documentation of each test will take place and be maintained by the University for seven years.

 

The ECMC will test its Alert system to Level 4, which includes all UC San Diego Health faculty and staff, at least once a year. For each test, UC San Diego Health documents a description of the exercise, the date and time, and whether it was announced or unannounced. Documentation of each test will take place and be maintained by UC San Diego Health for seven years.

 

8.              UC San Diego Non-Affiliates: Parents, Visitors, Neighbors and Others

 

Other individuals may sign up to receive TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications. They may provide and update their contact information by visiting the UC San Diego Affiliate/Guest Portal.

 

Standard text messaging rates apply.

 

9.              Providing Information to Surrounding Community

 

Individuals in the surrounding communities may go to the main UC San Diego homepage or the Campus Emergency Current Status page for information regarding any significant emergency or dangerous situation which presents an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees. The UC San Diego Police Department Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Watch Commander or the UC San Diego Environment, Health and Safety Director or Campus Emergency Manager or, if none of these individuals are available, a direct designee of the UC San Diego Police Department Police Chief who is within the UC San Diego Police Department or a direct designee of the Environment, Health & Safety Director who is within the Environment, Health & Safety department are responsible for providing information so that websites can be updated appropriately. These individuals are also responsible for contacting the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services or San Diego Police Department to provide information regarding the emergency or dangerous threat and to coordinate the appropriate response, as necessary.

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Institutional Officials Authorized to Send TRITON ALERT Emergency Notifications

 

In the case of a reported significant emergency or threat, the UC San Diego Police Department Watch Commander or the UC San Diego Campus Emergency Manager, or in the event neither is available, their designated substitutes, will confirm with first responders / area experts whether the emergency or dangerous situation exists. Confirmation of an immediate threat or emergency does not necessarily mean that all of the pertinent details are known or even available.

 

Upon confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation which presents an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees, the following individuals or offices are authorized to draft and send a TRITON ALERT Emergency Notification message:

 

A.       UC San Diego Police Department Police Chief;

B.      UC San Diego Police Department Watch Commander;

C.      Environment, Health & Safety Director;

D.      Campus Emergency Manager; or

E.       If none of these individuals are available, any direct designee of the UC San Diego Police Department Police Chief who is within the UC San Diego Police Department or any direct designee of the Environment, Health & Safety Director who is within the Environment, Health & Safety department.

 

These individuals will also be responsible for deciding whether to send a TRITON ALERT for emergencies affecting the ECMC.

 

Institutional Officials Authorized to Send ECMC Alerts

 

The following individuals are authorized to activate the Emergency Operations Plan and draft and send a Level 1-4 Alert in the event a situation or emergency may impact its hospital or clinical settings:

 

A.       Director, Emergency Management, UC San Diego Health

B.       Emergency Management Coordinators, UC San Diego Health

 

 

PROCEDURES

 

None

 

 

FORMS

 

None

 

 

RELATED INFORMATION

 

 

1.          UC San Diego Emergency Operations & Incident Management Plan

 

2.          Emergency Preparedness – Blink

 

3.          The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting

 

4.          Clery Act Appendix for Federal Student Aid (FSA) Handbook

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)

 

None

 

 

REVISION HISTORY

 

 

April 13, 2022 – Policy revised to include campus notifications in on-going emergency situations.

 

September 23, 2021 – Policy revised to include UC San Diego Health East Campus Medical Center emergency notification procedures.

 

December 14, 2020 – Policy revised to align with Clery Act requirements.

 

October 13, 2020 – Policy formally reviewed and formatted. Minor edits made.

 

October 10, 2017 - Policy revised to update Emergency Notification procedures. Also, Policy reformatted into standard template.

 

September 22, 2016 - New policy.

 

 

Appendix A: Map of ECMC Geography (Note yellow shaded area is approximate and is provided as a general reference only.)