Crisis Response Review Almost Done
Some ideas around how the University can improve its management of risk and how it reacts in emergency situations are beginning to emerge as its review of the institution’s crisis response nears completion.
Although the study has taken longer than expected, Richard Florizone, vice-president of finance and resources, said a final report is almost ready. The review is being conducted by David Hannah, associate vice-president of student and enrolment services, and Barb Daigle, associate vice-president of human resources.
Based on a look at draft recommendations, Florizone said the study “has reinforced that our overall system for responding is quite strong. We have a good track record and good people and resources, but this is a big, complex topic.”
To balance a strong response in a crisis, the University needs to focus on prevention, he said. While there is not much that can be done to prevent a blizzard for example, the University needs a strong threat assessment team to handle other kinds of incidents, he said, everything from a potential suicide to the use of a weapon on campus.
One gap identified by the review so far “is that we don’t have the capacity for 24/7 student counseling. Our focus has to be on prevention.”
Florizone said individual units currently handle operational risk well. What is needed is a co-ordinated effort, “an operational risk management committee that will get these people around the table talking about risk management in a holistic way and about the key areas we need to invest in.
“We can never protect everyone from everything, but there is room for constant improvement.”
The final report of the crisis prevention and response assessment is expected later this spring.