MIT’s Emergency Response System Evolution and Development William Van Schalkwyk Director of Environmental, Health and Safety Programs Massachusetts Institute of Technology October 30, 2003

Drivers for a Strong Emergency Response System History of incidents on campus Regulatory compliance Business continuity Community expectations Reputational benefit

Evolution of MIT’s Emergency Response System 1970: Formal response system developed –Student fatality in dorm fire 1975: Informal emergency response group formed within Department of Facilities 1990: Incident Management System established –State Police helicopter crashes across from Walker –MIT confined space rescue team (Dept. of Facilities) are first responders

Continued Evolution of MIT’s Emergency Response System 1995: Formal training of first emergency response group –Dept. of Facilities –Safety Program –Environmental Medical Services 1999: Y2K campus wide committee 2001: Post- 9/11 review –National and regional threats –Island Status in a major emergency

5 Types of Emergencies Fire Spills and release Crimes Serious injury and/or death –MIT community member –On-campus injury or death Natural disasters and utility emergencies

3 Levels of Classification Level 1: Localized fire/incident - No Alarm –Trash can fire immediately extinguished –Occur daily Level 2: Fire/incident - Alarm Triggered –Ranges from soldering that sets off smoke alarm to lab fire with chemical contamination –4 to 12 significant incidents annually –First responders often among those injured Level 3: Incident beyond single campus building; local or regional disaster –None since 9/11

Threats Unique to MIT Broad range of hazardous materials and nuclear reactor Highly visible target –Protestors Boston/Cambridge location

Potential Responders, Investigators and Onlookers at an MIT Emergency Cambridge Fire Dept.Mass. Dept. of Environmental ManagementNational Railroad Administration Cambridge Fire Hazardous Materials TeamMarine PatrolUS Coast Guard Cambridge Police Dept.Other Universities (Mutual Aid)National Guard Cambridge Office of Emergency ManagementDept. of Homeland SecurityFactory Mutual Global (Property Insurance) Utility Companies (gas, electric,sewer)Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)Private security firm(s) Cambridge Dept. of Public HealthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Hazardous waste contractors Cambridge Public WorksDept, of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration American Red Cross News Media: local & national radio, TV, print, online Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Salvation Army Boston Fire Dept.Nuclear Regulatory AgencyInterested non-profit agencies Boston Police Dept.National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)Political incumbents & candidates Mass. State PoliceFederal Aviation Administration (FAA)Unsolicited help Mass. Regional Hazardous Materials TeamDept of TransportationSpectators, etc. Mass. Emergency Management Agency

MIT Campus Partners in Emergency An Educated MIT CommunityNews Office Emergency Dispatchers (MIT Police, Dept of Facilities)Business Continuity Management Team On-duty MIT Police OfficersTelecommunications & Network Services Emergency Response TeamInsurance Office Dept. of Facilities Fire Protection TeamMIT Medical DLC Emergency Preparedness CoordinatorsDLC Directors & Administrative Officers DLC Trained Laboratory Research PersonnelSenior Counsel Dept. of Facilities Zone PersonnelEmergency Operations Center EPO Environment Health and Safety Office StaffExecutive Emergency Committee DLC Chemical Hygiene Officers

Number of Responding Agencies by Classification Level