Weather Emergency

University Policy and Procedure on Weather Emergencies

Rob Castle – Sr. Executive Officer, VPFAKathy Branton - Manager, Emergency Preparedness

Weather Emergency Procedures

Agenda

1) Decision Making Process

2) Check List

3) Dissemination of Information

4) Suspension Criteria

5) Individuals Performing Critical Functions

6) Resumption of Operations

7) Special Events

8) Questions

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Weather Emergency Procedures Decision Making – Weather Watch

The Director Security Services (DSS) and the Senior Executive Officer, Vice-President Finance and Administration (SEO-VPFA) assess the potential impact on University operations of a weather emergency being declared

: DSS and SEO-VPFA notify or consult with key decision-making

and communications personnel and places them on alert

DSS and SEO-VPFA initiate a weather watch, which may require the suspension of the University’s normal operations and programs

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DSS and SEO-VPFA provide the VPFA with regularly updated reports and continue the Weather Watch until a decision is made to either declare Weather Emergency or to discontinue the watch

DSS instructs the Security Control Centre to update Emergency Mass Notification Systems, (including web site, 416-736-5600 – the University’s Emergency and Information line, LCD screens and the mobile safety app) with the appropriate message

Weather Emergency Procedures Decision Making – Weather Watch

continued

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Weather Emergency Procedures Decision Making - Assessment

continued

DSS and SEO-VPFA assess the impact on University Operations of a weather emergency being declared by:

DSS consults with the following - – key decision and communications personnel

– Directors of Maintenance, Energy Management, Grounds & Custodial

– Director, Media Relations

The SEO-VPFA will also advise senior decision-making personnel and place them on alert, including:

– University Registrar– VP Academic & Provost– Vice Provost Students– SEO VPA&P who will consult with the directors of Miles S Nadal Downtown Management Centre and the

Osgoode Professional Development Centre

The decision to declare a Weather Emergency is made by the VPFA, upon recommendation by SEO-VPFA and DSS and after having consulted with, where possible, the President and, the VP Academic & Provost and the Vice Provost Students.

The Chair of Senate is consulted in situations where academic classes and examinations are affected.

Once the declaration has been made by the VPFA, theDSS initiates emergency mass notification systems and the emergency communication tree, including the date and time of the declaration.

NOTE: The annual updating and maintenance of the University Wide Communication Tree via a web-based tool now managed through Office of Emergency Preparedness

Weather Emergency Procedures Decision Making – Weather Emergency

continued

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A decision to declare a weather emergency may be enacted AT ANY TIME.

Key decision points:

by 5:30 a.m. to commence day operations, classes and exams

by 5:00 p.m. for evening classes, exams and activities

by 9:00 pm. to suspend night operations

Weather Emergency Procedures Decision Making – Weather Emergency

continued

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Weather Watch Resources

Weather Watch – Internet Tools

Environment Canada Weather Office

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/canada_e.html

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Compass Cameras

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/compass/ camera/camhome1.shtml

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Media Announcements

Initiated by Media Relations (Communications & Public Affairs)

To all local media outlets, including by not limited to:

Radio• AM – 590, 640, 680, 1010, 1050, 1540

• FM – 91.1, 92.5, 93.5, 97.3, 98.1, 99.9, 102.1, 104.5, 107.1, CBC Radio Canada

Television

• City TV, CP24, CFTO TV, Global TV, CBC Canada Now/Toronto Desk, A Channel, and the New VR.

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Suspension Considerations

How much snow is on the ground?

What are the GTA / Toronto road conditions?

Is it currently snowing?

What is the anticipated accumulation / forecast?

Are Glendon or downtown operations affected?

Are there any other educational institutions closed (or significant closures, e.g., School Boards) in GTA / path of storm?

What is the public transit situation? Are buses/trains running? How far behind schedule are they?

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Suspension Considerationscontinued

Did it rain prior to the snowfall?

Has it rained since the last snowfall?

How many plows are on campus?

When will the plows be on the road?

Can the campus roads/ parking lots will be accessible?

Given the above - can the University operate?

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INDIVIDUALS PERFORMING CRITICAL FUNCTIONS

Individuals performing critical functions include, but are not limited to, specified sections of:

Security Services

CSBO Grounds & Vehicles, Maintenance & Energy Management;

University Information Technology (UIT), including Network Operations and Telecom.

Employees in these units are guided by the EmergencyOperating Procedures established by their respectiveDepartments. The senior manager in each unit is responsiblefor providing updated copies of these procedures, as required.

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Resumption of Operations

The VPFA decides when a Weather Emergency is lifted. The DSS records date and time of decision and initiates the emergency mass notification systems and emergency communication tree accordingly

The DSS notifies the Security Control Centre Supervisor who, in turn, notifies all Managers / Supervisors of individuals performing critical functions to resume normal operations.

Decision-making follows same consultation and process.

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Faculties, Departments and Operating Units

All Faculties, departments and other operating units are required to develop their own local procedures (eg. Unit Emergency Sub Plan) to ensure that, whenever possible, all staff, faculty and students are informed of the closure of offices, cancellation of classes and postponement of examinations.

Deans and department heads are responsible for ensuring that their respective internal “communication trees” are updated by October 31st of each year and copies provided to:

Office of Emergency Preparedness.

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Special Events

All special events that are planned to take place when a weather emergency is in effect are cancelled unless:

The event is already underway and participants are not required to move outside between buildings; or

The event is part of the Schulich School of Business Executive Learning Centre; or

The organizer receives written approval from the related Vice President who will consult with VPFA prior to making a final determination

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Special Events

Each division, Faculty and department is responsible for notifying organizers of scheduled events of the weather emergency

Where applicable, organizers shall notify the Security Control Centre of events that are proceeding in accordance with Vice-Presidential approval and provide names and contact information for follow up contact, if required, during the weather emergency.

NOTE: The appropriate VP will email approval to SEO-VPFA who will forward it to the SCC.

Event organizers may contact the Security Control Centre to obtain up-to-date information regarding campus road and parking lot conditions

Special Events

Examples of cases where event organizers might seek approval to continue with their events:

– Conferences – where participants are already here on campus and are not required to travel between buildings

– Sporting events - if the teams and all participants are here, having travelled distances to compete, there may be significant cost in re-scheduling, and it may be safer to hold the event than send everyone back on the road

– Professional development courses (e.g., Osgoode Downtown Centre), where professionals have easy underground and subway access

VP approval is required for these events.

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Limitations

These procedures are not intended to cover all possible

eventualities. It is assumed that the decision-making

and relevant communications will be adapted, as

appropriate, to suit the circumstances. It cannot be

assumed that all individuals who may be coming to campus

or on campus at the time of a Weather Emergency can be

notified of the cancellation of classes and / or postponement

of exams.

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Right or Wrong ?

Regardless of the University’s decision during a winter storm, many may not agree with the decision, such:

Those who have a long commute or those insecure about driving in winter conditions

Those who have organized major events that are being staged, or

Administrators and Senate/Faculty leaders who are concerned about the finite period of time available to deliver the curriculum and/or to stage examinations

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Weather considerations with no suspension

Winter Storms and Personal Safety Concerns

When there is snow activity and a decision is made not to suspend University classes and programs, University students and employees should recognize that the commute will be longer, based upon the travel conditions. 

Conditions and circumstances will differ from institution to institution, so York does not close because U of T, McMaster or Humber College decide to do so, though we do consult with them and factor their status into our decision making.

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Weather considerations with no suspension

Winter Storms and Personal Safety Concerns

The individual commuting circumstances of every community member cannot be taken into account, so it is incumbent on individuals themselves to determine whether or not they can safely commute.  This is an individual responsibility 

Employees have the option of calling in and making arrangements with their manager or department chair for alternative coverage or fulfillment of their duties – i.e., using a vacation or personal day

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Weather considerations with no suspension

Winter Storms and Personal Safety Concerns

The University does have provisions for students whose individual situations require them to be absent during a scheduled class or examination (contact Office of the Registrar)

Many course instructors now communicate directly with students in their classes (via e-mail, Moodle, etc.) when they decide to cancel a class – whether the University declares a weather emergency or not

Likewise, students notify course instructors via e-mail, text message and Moodle when they are unable to attend

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Questions

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