LEVEL 1:  A relatively minor, localized department or building incident.
A LEVEL 1 emergency is quickly resolved with existing resources or with limited outside assistance.  A LEVEL 1 emergency is usually a one-dimensional event that has a limited duration and little impact on the campus community beyond those using the space or building.

Examples:  suspicious package, bomb threat report, odor complaint, localized chemical spill, plumbing failure, building flood or water leak, small fire or fire alarm, temporary building utility outage or individual medical emergency.


A LEVEL 1 emergency has the potential to become a LEVEL 2 emergency if the situation prevents academic or administrative operations for a foreseeable period of greater than four (4) hours.

Incident Command System Core Team NOTIFIED.

LEVEL 2:  A major incident that: 1) affects the continued operation of one or more entire buildings, or 2) creates a substantial public health and safety risk, or 3) creates significant public relations concerns and press attention. 
A LEVEL 2 emergency is managed by the University Incident Command System Core Group.  A LEVEL 2 emergency may be either people-focused or infrastructure-focused.  These emergencies may also be single or multiple hazard situations and often require coordination or assistance from both within and outside the University community.  Level 2 emergencies also include imminent events on campus or in the general community that may develop into a major University crisis or full disaster.

Examples:  Major fire, explosion, credible bomb threat, suspicious package causing significant concern or press attention, chemical spill requiring a public agency response, severe flooding, widespread electrical power or utility outage, technological or network failure, widespread outbreak of illness, acts of violence, assaults, civil disobedience, death on campus, or a substantial weather event that could affect personnel or operations.

Incident Command System Core Team CONVENES.

LEVEL 3:  A disaster with severe impacts on/to the University and/or the surrounding community.
A Level 3 incident has the potential to jeopardize or suspend normal University operations and academic programs.  Under such conditions, the University Crisis Management Team provides leadership and policy direction to the Operational Teams.

Examples:  Civil unrest, severe weather (hurricane or blizzard), catastrophic failure of utilities, mass evacuation, government-declared state of emergency, acts of war or terrorism.

Incident Commnad System Core Team CONVENES.

LEVEL 4: a major emergency which impacts a sizeable portion of the campus and/or outside community.

A LEVEL 4 incident may be a single or multi-hazard situation and often requires a Multi-agency Coordination System. Such threats may result from imminent events on campus or in the general community or in the region that develop into a major University crisis or full disaster.

Examples include: regional power failure for an extended period of time; a major fire; contagious disease outbreak or potable water contamination.

Incident Command System Core Team CONVENES.

LEVEL 5: a catastrophic emergency involving the entire campus and surrounding community
A LEVEL 5 incident generally involves multi-hazard threats and beyond the emergency response capability of the University and the local community.

Examples include: bioterrorism or nuclear disaster which would require State and Federal assistance.

Incident Command system Core Team CONVENES.