Fostering a Culture of Preparedness on Campus: OEMBC's Initiatives at UMD

Are you prepared for an emergency, on or off campus? September marks National Preparedness Month, which was created to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for the unexpected. Here at the University of Maryland, the Office of Emergency Management and Business Continuity (OEMBC) works year-round to ensure Terps are equipped to handle emergencies, incidents, and disasters. They are committed to fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience at UMD. Read on to learn how OEMBC helps UMD manage the unexpected!
OEMBC’s primary responsibilities are to manage incidents effectively and ensure that structures and plans are in place to maintain critical operations during an emergency. OEMBC was established in 2020; the team includes Director Erin Meyer and three expert staff members who provide 24/7/365 campus-level incident coordination and more. 
During emergencies, such as power outages or water main breaks, OEMBC  facilitates communication and decision-making university-wide, working with responding units and university leaders, ensuring quick and effective resolution.  To help the campus community   prepare for emergencies, OEMBC offers outreach, education, and communication. Faculty can access a variety of outreach materials, including:¹

• Be UMD Ready - Booklet and video for all things preparedness, including tips, considerations, actions, and important phone numbers
• Emergency Guide - One-page document summarizing actions for various emergency situations
• Preparedness Videos - Eight short videos with tips for emergencies such as winter weather, power outages, tornadoes, flooding, and more.
• Magnet - 4” magnet with important campus phone numbers
• Coming Soon - Emergency preparedness e-learning course to equip Terps with  knowledge, tools, and confidence to prepare for and respond to emergencies.
   

In addition,  OEMBC manages the Building Coordinators Program, which is designed to enhance situational awareness and preparedness among building occupants. OEMBC collaborates with occupants and departmental points of contact to facilitate comprehensive emergency planning and training. A key outcome is the placement of emergency plan posters in campus buildings (the goal is to have posters in every building). As part of this program, UMPD conducts building exterior access reviews and lockdown tests, ensuring secure and tailored entry points. 
Emergency plans are essential for ensuring readiness and establishing clear actions during crises. The university's Emergency Operations Plan outlines strategies for preparation, response, and recovery. OEMBC also helps campus departments create individualized Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), which provide a template for continuing  critical  activities despite disruptions, such as staff illness or power outages. Presently, OEMBC is piloting the development of an Academic COOP Plan with the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the College of Information, with intentions to expand to additional schools in the upcoming spring semester and beyond.
Lastly, OEMBC conducts regular exercises, drills, and training with departments and campus leadership to enhance preparedness and explain the importance of business continuity. 
Contact the OEMBC Team at prepare@umd.edu to obtain hard copies of helpful resources or discuss ways they can help your department, and have a safe and successful Preparedness Month!

¹To obtain hard copies email prepare@umd.edu with the quantity needed and delivery location. All materials are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.