Emergency Response Group

The Emergency Response Group (ERG) is a group of designated senior staff of the University who will be activated if necessary to provide University executive level management during an emergency incident. Although the initial composition of the Group is specified in the University's Emergency Plan, other staff with particular expertise relevant to the actual emergency incident can be co opted to the Group as necessary.

Response Arrangements

An emergency incident will be reported to the University's Emergency Controller (Senior Vice-Principal) or Deputy Emergency Controller (Vice-Principal Property and Campus Services) at the earliest opportunity. One of these individuals will make the decision, based on the significance/scale of the incident and the level of response required, to activate the Emergency Response Group.

When an emergency is declared and the ERG is activated, the Emergency Controller and Deputy Emergency Controller have the authority to over-ride the normal chain of command of the University.

Team Members

Membership of this group is:

• Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (Chair)
• The Senior Vice-Principal (Emergency Controller)
• Vice-Principal Property and Campus Services (Deputy Emergency Controller)
• General Manager Property Services (Response Centre Operations Manager)
• Manager, Security and Traffic
• Vice-Principal University Development (Media Controller)
• The Director, Risk Management Office (Risk Officer and Recorder)
• Any other individuals as directed by the Vice-Chancellor or the Emergency Controller as required by the circumstances of the emergency incident.

In the absence of the Vice-Chancellor, the Acting Vice-Chancellor or the Emergency Controller, if required, will assume the role of Chair. In the absence of the Emergency Controller, the Deputy Emergency Controller will assume the role of Emergency Controller.

Training

The ERG will be exercised on an annual basis. The first exercise, a desktop training exercise, will be conducted on 15 July 2004.

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)

In order that the ERG can provide effective command and control of any incident a secure command or response centre will be established. This is a secure area with appropriate communication facilities set up and ready to activate at short notice. The communication facilities will include two-way radio and direct dial external telephone lines. In addition back-up power generation and on-site kitchen and toilet facilities will be provided.

Premises have been identified as the location for this facility. An alternative facility has also been identified for use in the event that the first facility is not appropriate for use in relation to a particular emergency.