A terrorist attack. A bird flu pandemic. Natural disasters similar to Hurricane Katrina.
As the potential for disaster becomes a common, everyday fear in America, Fairfield University and other colleges and universities across the country are quickly preparing contingency plans.
Fairfield’s President, Father Jeffery von Arx, S.J., feels that the university is well prepared for disaster.
Last month he discussed with a university news writing class such preparations as the Business Continuity Plan, which was implemented after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.
Von Arx explained that the plan was created to ensure the continuation of business at Fairfield University in case of disaster.
Another safety group includes The Crisis Management Team, which meets in the event of any emergency, according to Frank Ficko, associate director of Public Safety.
Ficko said that the team convenes at the first sign of danger to determine a plan of action in response to an emergency.
Ficko recalls an emergency in 2002 when an alumnus held a theology class hostage for several hours. The Crisis Management Team, along with the help of Public Safety and local and state officials, safely recovered all student hostages and no one was hurt.
With the scare of Avian Influenza on the rise, Gary Nelson, director of the health services, said that he, along with his colleagues, have discussed the potential for the bird flu to affect students.
Nelson said that his greatest fear is a mutation in the virus. A mutation in Avian Influenza could cause a worldwide pandemic, allowing the virus to be transmitted easily from one person to another.
Nelson said that the Health Center will be working closely with local hospitals and will also continue to keep close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will continue to learn about all new developments.
Preparations take other forms as well. On Sept. 26, Fairfield University held an emergency response drill. The mock drill simulated an explosion sending many “victims of injury” to be treated at the hospital which was staged at Regis Hall.
Emergency teams implemented in the drill included: The National Guard, University Public Safety department, Fairfield Fire and Police departments, American Medical Response, County Hazardous Materials Team, and the state department of Environmental Protection, according to Ficko.
Fairfield’s actions came as the Federal Emergency Management Agency told colleges and universities to increase security and protection on campus to help prevent and ensure safe recovery in the event of a disaster.
According to U-Wire, a web site that connects college media, George Washington University plans to formulate a response procedure since the university’s safety manual does not include specifics on plans for crises.
One of the 10 universities in the nation to be named “storm ready” is the University of Maryland. The university has gone to great measures to ensure the safety of students on campus.
“We can’t prevent storms, but we can reduce the chances that people might be injured by them,” said C.D. Mote, president of the University of Maryland, in a U-Wire story.
Many Fairfield University students are unaware of the safety procedures and crisis planning that the university has implemented.
“I didn’t know that the school had any procedures planned for a disaster…I have never even heard of The Crisis Management Team,” said Megan Krueger ’08.
After speaking to the crisis teams and knowing about disaster preparation strategies that have been planned by the school, students feel safer.
“I am glad that the school is preparing ahead of time. It’s really smart and I am impressed,” said Jill Mirandi ’08.
“I feel very safe, especially being away from home,” Caitlin Moroney ’08 added.
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