Emergency Response Policy (Ƶ - Boucher and Ƶ - Ƶes)
1 PURPOSE
a. The purpose of this Policy is to establish a comprehensive framework that outlines Ƶ’s proactive approach to effectively and efficiently respond to emergencies and crises. This Policy aims to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and visitors within the Ƶ Premises during unexpected events or situations that may pose a threat to their health, security, or daily operations.
b. Ƶ, in alignment with its commitment to providing a secure and conducive learning environment, hereby adopts a strong and proactive stance on emergency response. This Policy serves as a set of guiding principles, emphasizing the significance of preparedness, prompt action, and collaboration among stakeholders to mitigate the impact of emergencies and foster a culture of safety within the institution.
2 SCOPE
a. This Policy applies to all Emergency Situations which occur on Ƶ Premises.
b. This Policy extends to all departments and individuals within Ƶ, including but not limited to students, faculty, employees, including Managers/Supervisors, Governors, contractors, and volunteers.
3 DEFINITIONS
a. “Campus Security Team” means, for the Toronto campus only, the dedicated group of trained Ƶ personnel, which includes Security Guards, the Manager, Maintenance & Security & the Director, Facilities & Procurement.
b. “Ƶ Community” means all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
c. “Ƶ Premises” means all buildings, facilities, laboratories, classrooms, clinical settings, research areas, and any other areas under the direct or indirect control of Ƶ.
d. “Communicated Threat” means any warning of violence or danger that jeopardizes the safety and security of anyone on Ƶ Premises.
e. “Emergency Closure” means the emergency response amounting to the closure of some or all of Ƶ operations due to an Emergency Situation.
f. “Emergency Response Committee” means a dedicated group of Ƶ employees consisting of the Manager, Maintenance & Security & the Director, Facilities & Procurement, and Legal Counsel. For clarity, when an Emergency Situation involves the Boucher campus, this group shall include the Director, Campus Operations & Academic Affairs.
g. “Emergency Personnel” means the police, emergency medical services, firefighters, or other emergency response personnel.
h. “Emergency Situation” means all unplanned emergency occurrences, incidents, or events that may occur within the Ƶ Premises, which could pose a threat to the safety, well-being, or operations of the Ƶ Community or property.
i. “Evacuation” means the emergency response amounting to a structured and organized process employed by Ƶ to ensure the swift and safe removal of all individuals from the Ƶ Premises during Emergency Situations.
j. “First Aid” means first and immediate assistance given to any person with either a minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening promote recovery until medical services arrive by a trained individual. k. “Lockdown” means the emergency response implemented to secure and restrict movement within the Ƶ Premises in the event of an imminent threat or hazardous situation, ensuring the safety and protection of all individuals by minimizing potential risks and controlling access to designated safe areas.
l. “Mass Notification” means an emergency response communication used to rapidly disseminate critical information to all members of the Ƶ Community, utilizing multiple communication channels to reach a wide audience during Emergency Situations.
m. “Violent Person” means an individual within Ƶ Premises who exhibits aggressive, threatening, or physically harmful behavior towards others, posing a risk to the safety and well-being of individuals within the Ƶ Community.
4 RESPONSIBLE PARTIES
a. The implementation, enforcement, and compliance with this Policy requires the active participation and collaboration of various individuals and departments within Ƶ.
b. The Senior Leadership Team shall:
  • provide leadership and support in establishing a culture of safety and emergency preparedness; and
  • allocate necessary resources for the development, implementation, and maintenance of emergency response plans and procedures.
c. The Emergency Response Committee shall:
  • oversee the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Emergency Response procedures;
  • conduct regular risk assessments and hazard identification exercises to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities;
  • coordinate and collaborate with relevant departments and stakeholders in emergency planning, training, and drills; and
  • monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of emergency response measures and recommend improvements as necessary.
d. Managers/Supervisors shall promote awareness and adherence to the Policy and related Procedures within their respective departments.
e. All employees and staff shall:
  • familiarize themselves with the contents of this Policy and related Procedures;
  • actively participate in emergency preparedness training, drills, and exercises; and
  • follow established emergency response Procedures in the event of an Emergency Situation.
f. The Campus Security Team shall:
  • coordinate emergency response efforts, including Evacuations, Lockdowns, or Emergency Closures in compliance with this Policy and any Procedures hereunder;
  • monitor and maintain emergency communication systems, alarms, and other safety equipment;
  • conduct regular inspections and maintenance of emergency exits, fire suppression systems, and other safety-related infrastructure; and
  • iv. assist in the identification and mitigation of potential security risks or vulnerabilities.
5. COMMUNICATED THREAT
a. Ƶ shall establish and maintain a Communicated Threat Procedure for Emergency Situations that include a Communicated Threat, guided by the principles of prioritizing the safety and security of all individuals, promptly assessing the credibility and severity of the Communicated Threat, implementing appropriate security measures and protocols in response, coordinating with law enforcement and relevant authorities, ensuring clear and timely communication to inform and protect the Ƶ Community, and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in emergency response and threat management.
b. In responding to any Communicated Threat, the Campus Security Team shall act in accordance with the Communicated Threat Procedure.
c. If a credible Communicated Threat is identified, all individuals within Ƶ Premises must follow the instructions and guidance provided by authorized personnel under the Communicated Threat Procedure.
6. VIOLENT PERSON(S)
a. Ƶ shall establish and maintain a Violent Persons Procedure for Emergency Situations that involve a Violent Person, guided by the principles of prioritizing the safety and well-being of all individuals, promptly assessing and responding to threats posed by Violent Person(s), implementing appropriate security measures and protocols to mitigate the risk of harm, coordinating with law enforcement and relevant authorities, ensuring clear and timely communication to inform and protect the Ƶ Community, and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in emergency response and threat management.
b. Where the Violent Person involves a patient at a Ƶ clinic, the Patient Behaviour Policy shall apply instead.
c. In responding to a Violent Person, the Campus Security Team shall act in accordance with the Violent Persons Procedure or Patient Behaviour Policy, as applicable.
d. All individuals within Ƶ Premises must follow the instructions and guidance provided by authorized personnel under the Violent Persons Procedure, or Patient Behaviour Policy, as applicable.
7. MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
a. Ƶ shall establish and maintain a Mass Notification Procedure for Emergency Situations that require sending a Mass Notification, guided by the principles of prioritizing the timely dissemination of critical information, ensuring clarity and accuracy of the message, providing clear instructions and guidance to individuals, fostering a sense of safety and reassurance among the Ƶ Community, and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in emergency communication and notification.
b. The President, or their designate, shall initiate the process for determining whether a Mass Notification is warranted in accordance with the Mass Notification Procedure.
8. EMERGENCY CLOSURE
a. Ƶ shall establish and maintain an Emergency Closure Procedure for Emergency Situations that require an Emergency Closure, guided by the principles of prioritizing the safety and well-being of all individuals, ensuring timely and effective communication regarding the Emergency Closure, coordinating necessary logistics and resources for a smooth Emergency Closure process, establishing protocols for securing facilities and critical assets, and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in emergency response and facility management.
b. The President, or their designate, shall initiate the process for determining whether an Emergency Closure is warranted in accordance with the Emergency Closure Procedure.
c. When the Emergency Closure protocol is activated, all individuals within Ƶ Premises must follow the instructions and guidance provided by authorized personnel under the Emergency Closure Procedure.
d. It is the responsibility of all students and employees to check the Ƶ website, intranet, or learning management system for information related to Emergency Closures.
e. Where an Emergency Closure is initiated:
  • before the start of the day, employees will be paid for their scheduled hours. If the employee would not normally have been scheduled to work that day, they will not receive additional pay.
  • before the end of day, employees who report to work will be paid for their scheduled hours. Employees who do not report to work and are unable to work from home will be paid their scheduled hours but will be required to make up the hours within the following four (4) weeks. At no time is an employee expected to unduly risk their personal safety in order to report to work.
9. LOCKDOWN (REMAIN IN PLACE)
a. Ƶ shall establish a Lockdown Procedure for Emergency Situations that require a Lockdown, guided by the principles of ensuring the safety and security of all individuals, promoting effective communication and coordination among stakeholders, prioritizing the well-being of the Ƶ Community, and adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and best practices.
b. The President, or their designate, shall initiate the process for a Lockdown in accordance with the Lockdown Procedure.
c. When the Lockdown protocol is activated, all individuals within Ƶ Premises must follow the instructions and guidance provided by authorized personnel under the Lockdown Procedure.
10. COLLEGE-WIDE EVACUATION
a. Ƶ shall establish a College-Wide Procedure for Emergency Situations that require an Evacuation, guided by the principles of prioritizing the safety and well-being of all individuals, ensuring clear and effective communication during Evacuation efforts, promoting efficient and organized evacuation processes, coordinating with external emergency response agencies, and complying with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in emergency response.
b. The President, or their designate, shall initiate the process for a College-Wide Evacuation in accordance with the College-Wide Evacuation Procedure.
c. When the Evacuation protocol is activated, all individuals within Ƶ Premises must follow the instructions and guidance provided by authorized personnel under the Evacuation Procedure.
11. FIRST AID
a. First Aid at Ƶ may only be administered in accordance with the First Aid Procedure.
10. COLLEGE-WIDE EVACUATION
a. Ƶ shall establish a Working with Emergency Personnel Procedure for Emergency Situations where Emergency Personnel have been notified or where Emergency Personnel attend to Ƶ Premises.
b. All individuals within Ƶ Premises must follow the Working with Emergency Personnel Procedure.