I. Introduction, Overview and Mission

A. Introduction

The purpose of the FHSU Crisis Management Plan is to provide the University community with guidance in the event of a crisis event on or affecting the University, and to direct FHSU’s Crisis Management Team in coordinating the University’s response to such event. Every effort has been made to anticipate and plan for all foreseeable crisis situations that may impact the University, all of its constituents, and the surrounding area. However, it is impossible to define with any preciseness all emergencies or crisis situations that may develop or the most appropriate responses to such situations. Therefore, the plan strikes a balance between being comprehensive on the one hand, yet flexible enough to allow for desired responses to unforeseen events on the other.

The crisis response protocols set forth in this policy, and any necessary responses that may need to be taken as a result of events not covered in the protocols, will be guided by the paramount concern of protecting and preserving human life above all other considerations.

B. Overview

This Crisis Management Plan is divided into three sections. The first consists of this Introduction, Overview and Mission. The second section consists of a high level summary of actions to be taken by FHSU in the event of emergencies, and the third attempts to establish specific protocols for responses to specifically defined crisis situations. The entire Crisis Management Plan is available here. The Crisis Management Team will periodically issue reminders to the University community about the policies and protocols, and those reminders may include copies of the Plan in whole or in part where helpful.

C. Mission of the Crisis Management Team

It is the mission of the Crisis Management Team of Fort Hays State University, as charged by the University President, to coordinate the University’s response to any crisis event. To the extent possible, the Crisis Management Team will follow the protocols and procedures contained in this plan in responding to a crisis, and where no protocol or procedure is established, will use the collective judgment and expertise of the members of the team to coordinate an effective response. In addition, the Crisis Management Team will monitor the effectiveness of this plan and will provide necessary periodic updates to attempt to ensure to the extent possible that the entire University community is well equipped to deal with a crisis.

II. Summary of the Crisis Management Plan

III. Crisis Response Protocols