Threat Level Classifications
The emergency operations plan uses four threat severity levels to structure Babson College’s response. Characteristics of each level are discussed below. Examples are also given, although they are not meant to be a complete listing of possible situations that could occur.
LEVEL 1: Administrative Notification / Localized Issue
A minor department or building incident that can be resolved by the responding service unit, or with limited outside help. This may result in calling in personnel and notifying the department where the problem occurred. (Example: Facilities Services responds to an HVAC problem in an Academic Building, ITSD failure). The Emergency Manager does not often require emergency notification for Level 1 incidents.
ACTION: Update community as needed through personal contact, email, website, and postings/handouts
LEVEL 2: Monitor/Standby
A department or building incident that can be resolved with existing College resources or limited outside help. A Level 2 incident is usually a one-dimensional event that has a limited duration and little impact on the campus community beyond those using the space/building in which it occurred. (Examples: Minor chemical or fuel oil spills, building loss of heat or electricity for several hours, or a minor fire confined to a room and not involving hazardous chemicals, Safety Alert - criminal offense that does not have an imminent threat in progress (sexual assault, burglary). The Emergency Manager should be advised and updated regarding Level 2 situations, and has the option of standing up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
ACTION: Update community as needed through personal contact, email, website, and postings/handouts.
Emergency Alert System (RAVE mobile safety) may be used in these circumstances and restricted to certain buildings or groups if needed.
LEVEL 3: Alert
An emergency that impacts a sizable portion of the campus and/or outside community. Level 3 emergencies may be single or multi-hazard situations, and often require considerable and timely coordination both within and outside the College. Level 3 emergencies also include imminent events on campus or in the general community that may develop into a major College crisis or a full disaster. (Examples: heating plant failure, extended power outage, severe storms, major fire, contagious disease outbreak, domestic water contamination, active violent criminal offense that poses an imminent threat (active shooter, robbery with a dangerous weapon suspect in the area). The Emergency Manager should be notified as soon as possible in the event that a level 3 emergency has occurred or is occurring. Depending on the type of emergency, upon activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) the Emergency Manager will communicate with a member or members of the President’s Cabinet (also known as the Executive Policy and Planning Group). The EOC will be activated as soon as possible and a plan for managing the emergency will be developed.
ACTION: Alert and update community as needed through emergency alert system (RAVE mobile safety), voicemail blast of on campus phones, email, Babson home page and emergency preparedness website, update INFO line directing inquiries.
LEVEL 4: Emergency
A catastrophic emergency event involving the entire campus and surrounding community. Immediate resolution of the disaster, which is usually multi-hazard, is beyond the emergency response capabilities of campus and local resources. (Example: earthquake, major hurricane, or act of terrorism that would require State and Federal assistance). Procedures followed by College personnel will be similar to those outlined above with respect to Level 4 emergencies.
ACTION: Alert and update community as needed through emergency alert system (RAVE mobile safety), voicemail blast of on campus phones, email, Babson home page and emergency preparedness website, update INFO line directing inquiries.