Definitions

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs): Refers to any device that analyzes cardiac rhythm and prompts a user to deliver a shock when necessary. These devices only require a user to attach pads to a patient's chest, turn the device on, and follow audio instructions. They do not require any decision making or interpretation of symptoms.

Alternates: Individuals assigned as back-ups to specific emergency response positions.

Building Assessment Team: Each Division/Department is encouraged to enlist volunteers interested in conducting initial visual exterior assessments of buildings within their Division. These individuals are often grad students but staff and faculty are also gr eat ad di t i on s . Ideally B AT members live w it h in walking distance to campus with the intention that they can come to campus after hours to perform preliminary assessments.

Building Coordinator: designated by the department/division as the primary emergency contact for the building; responsible for implementation of the emergency action plan; assists with the safe evacuation of the work area (with assistance of floor wardens); assesses injuries and damage to the work area personnel/property and reports status to the EOC.

Caltech Ready: Caltech Ready is a web based continuity planning tool that contains the continuity plans for numerous academic groups and support units across the Institute.

Campus Emergency Management Plan (CEMP): The Caltech Campus Emergency Management Plan is an operational guide for members of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and other responders in the event of an emergency or other event that threatens the health and safety of the campus community or disrupts normal operations or research.

Continuity Plan: A plan that identifies the critical functions of a division, department or lab group, the resources needed to support these functions and identifies strategies to sustain research or operations in the absence of one or more of these resources during a disruption. Caltech Ready is the Institute's web based planning tool.

Division/Department Control Center (DCC): The DCC is a pre-designated location where key Division/Department personnel convene to coordinate Division/Department response and recovery efforts.

Disaster Recovery Team (DRT)
Following an earthquake or severe weather event, campus structures, including off campus housing, should be assessed to determine the degree of damage to structures and utilities and to identify structures that may require further assessment. DRTs are comprised of members from Facilities. Teams are comprised of 4 to 6 individuals and dispatched to cover 16 distinct Zones on Campus. DRTs are trained to conduct rapid assessments of the exteriors of buildings and if safe to proceed, enter building to assess both structure and utilities. DRTs are authorized to post green (no damage) or yellow (caution) placards on buildings. The Emergency Operations Center must approve the posting of all red placards.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP): prepared by each campus department/division, the EAP is specific to each work area and outlines various emergency responsibilities of staff, evacuation routes and evacuation assembly areas, emergency supplies, and emergency notification plans.

Emergency Hotline: an emergency information hotline for the campus community. Following a major emergency situation, updates on the status of the campus and instructions will be recorded on the hotline.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC): the EOC is where crisis management committee members gather to coordinate the response to an emergency impacting the campus community, deploy emergency response teams, and communicate with outside support services. The primary EOC location is in the Physical Plant Conference Room.

Evacuation Assembly Areas (EAA): areas designated by each department where occupants of evacuated buildings assemble to await further instruction and "all clear" notifications.

Floor Wardens: designated employees that assist the building coordinator in building evacuations. Floor Wardens direct other employees out of the work area, make observations of injured/damage, and assist individuals with special needs. Floor Wardens are equipped with an orange vest.

Information and Assistance Hub: The Information and Assistance Hub, referred to as the "Hub" is an indoor or outdoor location that provides basic information pertaining to the emergency and resources available to members of the Caltech community. Resources provided will reflect the unique nature of the situation but might include: information on available counselling services, location of medical assistance, status of assessed buildings, ride share boards, as well as international student and scholar assistance. The location and activation of the HUB is done at the discretion of the Emergency Operations Center.