DIRECTION, GUIDANCE AND ACTIVATION (CHAIN OF COMMAND) [K]
For most emergency functions, successful operations require a coordinated effort from multiple college departments and groups. Generally, the primary responsibility for an emergency management response will be assigned to the Blinn College District Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC), in direct coordination and contact with the Blinn College District Chancellor, and/or their designee, who has ultimate authority for all District emergency management decisions and shall be responsible for executing Executive Policy Group (EPG) Responsibilities during ERP activation.
| Level | Title | Role in Emergency Management |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chancellor | Ultimate authority for all District emergency management decisions; approves EOP activation and major resource commitments. |
| 2 | Executive Vice Chancellor | Assumes Chancellor's emergency management authority in the Chancellor's absence; coordinates operational response. |
| 3 | Chief of Police / Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) | Day-to-day emergency management authority; serves as Incident Commander or coordinates with external IC; activates BCDPD response. |
| 4 | Director of Safety and Risk Management / Assistant EMC | Supports EMC; manages emergency management program; coordinates drills, exercises, training, and EOP maintenance. |
The Blinn College District Chief of Police has been designated as the EMC for the Blinn College District and has the authority to activate the ERP and marshal personnel and resources, as necessary, to accomplish response objectives based upon the emergency presented. Additionally, activation of the ERP may be made at the discretion and direction of the Blinn College District Chancellor, or their designee, and coordinated through the EMC.
In the absence of, or at the direction of, the EMC, the Blinn College District Director of Safety and Risk Management may activate the ERP and be designated as the EMC for the emergency at hand.
The EMC is responsible for providing the following direction and planning guidance activities:
- Serve as a staff advisor to the Blinn College District Chancellor on matters concerning emergency management.
- Ensure that the EPG is apprised of preparedness status, current response, planned response, and emergency management needs.
- Coordinate local planning, preparedness and response with supporting emergency response providers, and external jurisdictions.
- Oversee the operations of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during ERP activation by occupying the role of EOC Manager or Incident Commander, depending on the scale of the event and Incident Command System (ICS) positions required to effectively manage the critical incident or emergency.
- Occupy an ICS staff position, as needed, during an expanding critical incident having direct impact to Blinn College District property and falling under a multi-jurisdictional, county-wide, or regional response.
The Blinn College District Chancellor, or their designee, is responsible for the management of the Executive Policy Group (EPG) and will:
- Retain the ultimate authority to designate individuals responsible for the management of any Blinn College District emergency response should ERP activation be required.
- Manage the activities and response of the EPG in support of the ERP.
- Initiate the Blinn College District Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and ensure that the regular operations of the District, facilities and campuses (within the non-impacted area) successfully continue to the fullest extent possible.
- Ensure that the Blinn College District Board of Trustees and key stakeholders are aware of the emergency and response, as necessary.
- Coordinate with the Blinn College District Public Information Officer (PIO) to ensure that students, staff, faculty, and public are aware of the emergency and response, as necessary.