Emergency Operations for the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo

Our Commitment to Your Safety

Safety is important here at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo has a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan outlining campus emergency response and recovery procedures. The Plan was established as a supplement to the administrative policies, procedures and practices followed during normal university operations. When implemented, it serves as the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s emergency operations plan, setting forth the authorities and policies for activation, personnel emergency assignments and operational procedures. The major goals of the Plan are the preservation of life, the protection of property and continuity of academic and business operations.

Campus staff appointed to emergency management or response roles routinely review the plan and regularly participate in evacuation drills, training and exercise programs. In addition to campus emergency management and response roles, essential personnel may be needed independently or in response to a localized emergency that requires extraordinary support services.

The Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) shall provide the necessary guidance to organize and direct University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s and Hawaiʻi Community College’s operation in the event of an emergency and/or civil defense action that may be necessary (University of Hawaiʻi APM A-9.700, Plan for Emergency and Civil Defense Events).

Kalei Rapoza, UH Hilo Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs, kaleihii@hawaii.edu

Emergency Contacts

• UH Hilo Emergency Operations Plan.
• Flu Information page.

In event of emergencies, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) shall be opened and the members of the EOC staff shall report. See “Emergency Operations Center Organizational Chart”.

Notifications

The University subscribes to a “ConnectED” service which will contact individuals listed in the EOP via email, phone, and cell phone, in the event of emergency. Additionally, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense will contact the University directly in certain situations.

Information shall be passed along to the University community by means of email, website updates, and, in some situations, by phone and/or security personnel with bullhorns. News and information may also be passed on to local media for broadcast.

Note: UH is implementing a comprehensive system of emergency messaging called UH Alert .

Current capabilities include email, phone and SMS/text messaging for faculty and staff and email for students.

Students, faculty and staff may now sign up online to receive alerts via these channels.

Work is underway to extend SMS/text messaging capability to students.

Find out more .

Emergency Preparedness Information and links

In the event of emergency, the best safety measure is to be prepared. Knowing what to do before an emergency happens will allow you to react to the situation quickly and safely. One example could be the preparation of a disaster supply kit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website lists the basic items in a disaster supply kit.

• Water
• Food
• First aid supplies
• Clothing, bedding, and sanitation supplies
• Tools
• Special items (important family documents, baby supplies, etc)

These items should be in an easy to transport container in case you need to evacuate to a shelter. Remember that food and other amenities are not always available at the shelters. You need to be able to provide for your self and your family for the first 72 hours.

Note: Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi typically runs from June to the end of November, but earthquakes, tsunamis (caused by local earthquakes or earthquakes in the pacific region), or other emergencies, can happen at any time.

There are many additional sources of information available on the internet:

• Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Website (provides latest Civil Defense messages and various links)
• Central Pacific Hurricane Center
• Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (Note: Not all earthquakes in the Pacific Region are listed and not all earthquakes generate tsunami)
• US Geological Survey Latest Earthquakes Website (Note: Hawaiʻi is 10 hours behind UTC, e.g. 12pm UTC is 2am Hawaiʻi Standard Time (1200hr – 1000hr = 0200 hr – military time))
• National Weather Service (State of Hawaiʻi forecasts and severe weather announcements)
• Ready.gov (a comprehensive website from Homeland Security)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency website (FEMA)
• FEMA “Make A Plan” webpage (includes a comprehensive guide and some videos.
• Pacific Disaster Center
• UH Sea Grant College “Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards”

Note: the book is free, you may download a copy or pick one up from the Sea Grant office on the UH Mānoa campus. If you want to have one delivered, there is a cost of $5 to cover shipping and handling.

These are just some of the many sources of information available. Please take the time to prepare yourself before an emergency strikes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ken Ikeda at (808) 932-7638, or email keni@hawaii.edu.

A PDF version of this information is available for download/printing. Emergency Operations Information (PDF).