Crisis management at Umeå University is conducted on two levels: centrally and at departmental, office or equivalent level.
A crisis can be defined as the effect of an unwanted event where past experiences and known reactions are not applicable in the understanding of the situation at hand. A crisis can occur suddenly, more or less unexpectedly, and often without forewarning. This is why crises need preparation, rapid decision-making and coordination between parties involved. In the event of a crisis, it is not the cause of the crisis that is evaluated, but the ability to deal with the crisis.
Example of crises
- Terrorist threats
- Casualities
- Accidents
- Severe deviations from ethics and morals (threats, violence, harassment, and bullying, for instance)
- Events and incidents affecting the environment or are deemed hazardous (fires, chemicals, gases, radiation, and microbiological agents, for instance)
- Unwanted publicity or spreading of sensitive information
Crisis preparedness suggests "the ability to prevent, withstand and handle crises before, during and after a crisis through education, practice, other actions and by setting up organisational structures".
Organisation
Crisis management at Umeå University is conducted on two levels: centrally and at departmental, office or equivalent level. The University's crisis management work is to be conducted in line with the hierarchical organisation. Albeit, it also consists of a number of extra resources in the form of a central crisis management team and some offices in the University Administration with extra responsibilities.
Organisation of the crisis management
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Central crisis management
The crisis management team consists of the University Director, student union representatives and delegates from some offices in the University Administration with extra responsibilities. All contact goes through the alarm number +46 90-768 97 00. The crisis management team must be available to the emergency services and to the police to supply information to aid emergency operations.
Department, office or equivalent
Each department, office or equivalent must have its own internal crisis management organisation. If needed, support is available from the offices of the University Administration that have extra responsibilities and from other administrative offices as well as external parties.
Education and training
Education and training is an important part of preventative work. Each department, office or equivalent must continuously train and practise crisis management, please read the Regel för krishantering (Rule for crisis management). Crisis management teams, both at a central level, and departmental and office level must have basic knowledge of crisis management as well as a good understanding of the University's crisis management. Exercises should take place at least once per year. The department, office or equivalent decides the extent, scenario and time frame. The security function at the Property Management Office can offer training and aid in exercises if requested.