Emergency Procedures
In the event of a natural disaster or large-scale emergency, Miami will use its Emergency Notification System to communicate emergency information. This may include texts, emails, VoIP phone messages, computer screen alerts and more. Depending on the situation, emails could also be sent to the emergency contacts (parents, guardians) that students have specified.
Emergencies from chemical spills to severe weather involve individual, as well as collective, action to respond safely. To guide response to a variety of potential dangers, see the left menu.
Crisis Management Plan
In addition to protecting students, faculty and staff, Miami University has adopted a plan to continue business in the event of a disaster. From feeding and housing students and preserving academic functions, to communicating and issuing regular paychecks, numerous steps have been taken to restore university functions as soon as possible following a significant disruption. For more information, see University Response.
Crisis Management Team
Miami's Crisis Management Team is prepared to respond to crises that could seriously affect the safety of the Miami community and the university's ability to carry on normal operations. Such crises include (but are not limited to) fires, damaging weather events, large-scale chemical emergencies and shootings. The CMT oversees the Continuous Operations Plan.
For Employees
Separate from benefit information offered by Miami University's benefits and wellness office within human resources, several resources are available to help Miami staff and faculty promote safe working environments.
Miami's Employee-Institutional Response Team (E-IRT) serves as the interdisciplinary response team when there is concern that an employee may pose a risk of substantial harm to him or herself, to others or to University property.
The E-IRT consists of representatives of various campus offices, any one of whom may receive information about an employee potentially in distress. The E-IRT works collaboratively to assemble information regarding the employee and the circumstances of the situation to determine the most appropriate course of action. For more information, contact co-chair Ruth Groom at 513-529-9210 or co-chair Dawn Fahner at 513-529-5716.
Expectations of Employees During a Crisis
All official communications in a crisis must come from University Communications and Marketing or law enforcement; links to UCM-provided information may be shared in
During a crisis, staff
Employees should also do the following:
- Make contact with your manager by telephone/text to relay the information below (where applicable):
- Personal and family status
- Immediate needs
- Where you can be contacted
- Details of crucial job activities, in case someone else needs to perform them for you
- Monitor the following communications media for university information:
- Miamoh.edu and myMiami
- Radio – WVXU 88.5 FM/WMUB 91.7 FM, WLW 700 AM, WMOH 1450 FM
- Local television stations
- Place cell phone calls only as needed. Texts use less bandwidth and will prevent/stall overload capacity on cell towers.
Departments are encouraged to prepare for emergencies by knowing the evacuation procedures for your building and by having an office or departmental phone tree.