About Us

The Department of Emergency Management provides professional staff trained in incident management who coordinate emergency and disaster response with the UVM community and external partners.

Campus Preparedness

The Department of Emergency Management works with campus organizations to ensure they are prepared to handle emergencies and large events.  We assist in the development of emergency plans and protocols.

Our public safety partners include UVM Police Services, UVM Rescue, Burlington Fire Department, South Burlington Fire Department and Colchester Fire Department. We work with other emergency management agencies and disaster response organizations at the local, state, and federal levels.   

We monitor operations, activities, events, weather conditions, and developing incidents to provide the UVM Emergency Operations Group with situational awareness and direction. We plan for emergencies in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines based on current best practices in emergency management. 

The Department of Emergency Management is home to UVM's award-winning Fire and Life Safety program.  The University Fire Marshal oversees training, construction, code compliance, fire protection systems, event safety and other challenges associated with a premier research institution and residential campus.

Preparing and Planning for Emergencies

Preparation and Planning are Critical to Success
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Preparation requires planning. We have developed and maintain an all-hazards emergency operations plan for UVM.  We follow the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) framework to ensure we are using best practices to evaluate, test, and update our plans. 

Our Plan
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One measure of an organization's strength is its ability to respond well in an emergency. Since every scenario cannot be predicted, an emergency response plan must be able to quickly adapt to emerging threats and unfolding incidents. Our Emergency Operations Plan is an all hazards plan that defines the framework necessary to respond to emergency situations. It is imperative that individual departments develop response plans for unique situations under their purview.

For additional information about emergency management at UVM please refer to the UVM Emergency Management Policy.

Threat and Hazard Analysis
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By understanding threats and hazards, we can ensure that we have the necessary plans, training, experience, and equipment to respond effectively.  UVM is a StormReady® University, recognizing that the National Weather Service has certified our efforts to protect and prepare the campus for our number one hazard, severe weather.

 

Training and Exercises
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UVM Emergency Management, with the participation of student interns, plans and conducts training and exercises.  For more information about training offered by UVM's Division of Safety and Compliance, see DSC Training.

History

History of the Department of Emergency Management

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The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was created in the Fall of 2015 with the hiring of a full time Emergency Planning and Institutional Continuity Coordinator.  Prior to this, campus emergency management activities were managed by a diverse group of UVM professionals who comprised the Emergency Operations Group (EOG.)  This group accomplished a substantial amount considering that each member served the EOG as an additional duty to their normal UVM roles.  The EOG continues to serve as the governing body for emergency management and provides guidance and support to the University during emergencies by staffing the UVM Emergency Operations Center.  

In April 2023 the Fire and Life Safety program was moved from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and integrated into Emergency Management. The OEM became the Department of Emergency Management with a Director, and the University Fire Marshal serving as the Deputy Emergency Management Director.

History of Fire and Life Safety at UVM

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The UVM Fire and Life Safety Program was organized in 2007 with the hiring of the first University Fire Marshal.  Prior to that, facilities personnel inspected fire extinguishers and contractors inspected fire protection systems.  Under the University Fire Marshal, a barcoding system was implemented to track inspections, testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers, sprinkler and fire alarm systems, specialty fire suppression systems, emergency lighting and other life safety systems.  Plan review and fire protection guidance was provided for projects including the construction of the University Heights residence halls, the Davis Student Center, Jeffords Hall, and later Discovery and Innovation Halls and the Central Campus Residence Hall.  Robust training and event planning programs were implemented and recently student interns have become an integral part of the department, participating and learning.