University of Calgary

Emergency Preparedness Training

The Emergency Preparedness Team identifies training and resources needed to provide the necessary skills to those individuals tasked with various duties in emergency response.  It also ensures that a system is put in place to maintain training records that will cover emergency response training activities.

First Response Team members, those that are assigned to work at the scene of an emergency, will be trained in the principles and terminology of the Incident Command System (ICS). The ICS is employed by the City of Calgary emergency services. This training will equip University personnel with enough knowledge of the ICS to enable them to work effectively with the City of Calgary emergency services personnel.

Persons assigned to the Emergency Operations Group (EOG) are trained in the techniques and theories for managing emergency operations.  Training is provided to EOG members throughout the year and includes emergency exercises.

All staff, students and faculty are encouraged to take “Lockdown Training”,  a one hour course, offered monthly. Register at:

http://www.ucalgary.ca/safety/lockdown_training

All employees, students and contractors will be trained with respect to their specific obligations with respect to this Plan, where applicable.

All external parties renting space at the University will be informed as to their obligations with respect to this Plan, where applicable. 

Joint training with off-site (non-University) resources will be conducted whenever the opportunity presents itself.  Municipal Emergency Services will be offered the opportunity to:

  • Tour the University site;
  • Review the University emergency response plan;
  • Participate in University training activities; and
  • Participate in University emergency simulations.

 

TRAINING COURSE OBJECTIVES

No courses are currently scheduled.  If you are interested in attending one of these courses please send an email to  riskmgmt@ucalgary.ca

The following list identifies the types of training the University provides to the emergency responders.

Basic ERP Familiarization

A three hour session designed to introduce University staff to the provisions of the University's emergency management system and the new Master Emergency Response Plan. It will give the participants an understanding of the emergency organization and its components. Discussion will include how to activate the response system, where information can be located within the plan, the training and exercising program and the responsibilities and authority of the University and that of external agencies. All First Response Team members and Emergency Operations Group members should attend this course.

Incident Command

This four hour workshop presents the principles and terminology of the Incident Command System (ICS) to University First Response Team members. These are people assigned to work at the scene of the emergency, be it a fire, bomb threat or chemical spill. They work with the emergency services of the City of Calgary, which employs the Incident Command system. It will equip University personnel with enough knowledge of ICS to enable them to work effectively with City of Calgary emergency services personnel. This session will include an exercise to help participants practice the fundamentals of the ICS. All First Response Team members should attend this course.

Managing Emergency Operations

This one day workshop presents techniques and theories for managing an Emergency Operations Centre. Individuals assigned to the Universities Emergency Operations Group (EOG) will review how to set goals in a fast-paced emergency atmosphere, roles and responsibilities of the EOG positions and managing information flow and decision making during a crisis. A table exercise and communications drill are conducted to enable participants to practice the theories presented during the workshop. Attendance at any one workshop is limited to the number of EOG positions identified in the Emergency Response Plan. This is to ensure that each person has the maximum opportunity to participate fully in the exercise portion of the day. All EOG members should attend this course.

Tabletop Exercise

This 3.5 hour emergency exercise will allow the the members of the EOG to gain experience through a table top exercise scenario. Originally an emergency is declared and an initial description of the incident is given to the members to discuss. They will review and practice their responsibilities within their EOG position. At some point within the exercise, an escalation of the situation will be given to them and further discussion will take place. The goal of this exercise is to determine whether the University is equipped for that particular crisis and what gaps, if any, should be addressed. The exercise will be completed with a de-briefing of the "incident" and recommendations for any changes required.

Full Scale Exercise

This one day emergency exercise will allow the the members of the EOG, some members of the First Response Team, possibly members of the Crisis Management Team and also members of external resources (i.e. possibly fire department, health authorities, etc.) to gain experience on how the University will response to an emergency, using an exercise scenario. Although it resembles a tabletop exercise, it will be much more in depth with input phone calls and communications from various individuals/departments. First Responders may have to physically "try out" their response procedures to determine if they are adequate for the needs. EOG members will test their response capabilities within their defined role. The goal of this session is to determine how the Emergency Operations Group will communicate and coordinate with other elements within our own emergency response organization and also with external agencies.