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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has already experienced, and may encounter again, long-term emergency situations — think of the aftermath of Tropical Storm Allison, for example. Depending on an emergency’s severity, the institution could be drastically impacted, making it problematic to fulfill its stated missions or handle daily business transactions.
To minimize the severity of emergency situations on the institution’s business, the university and all its units must have contingency plans in place to deal with how we do business after such an emergency, says Mike Tramonte, vice president for Finance and Business Services.
“Based upon the experience with Tropical Storm Allison,” says Robert J. Emery, Dr.P.H., assistant vice president for Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management, “30 days post event is the most critical timeframe with regard to immediate recovery decisions, resource procurement and the establishment of temporary means and locations of essential functions.”
Therefore, in addition to the Emergency Situation Response Plan (ESRP) and the IT Disaster Recovery Plan, last year a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) was established for the university to provide a comprehensive guide for operating in a period leading up to and for 30 days after an event.
The BCP includes recommended actions and decision-making capabilities needed within that time frame. But, in order for it to be complete and workable, each operating unit needs to supplement the overarching institutional plan with its own localized Business Continuity Plan, says Tramonte.
To create your own business continuity plan, please use the appropriate worksheet for your area:
“It is vital that each unit have its own customized plan in addition to knowing what is in the health science center BCP, otherwise, many areas could come to a full stop after a catastrophic event. Operating units cannot rely solely on the health science center’s plan,” Tramonte says. "Each area must be able to address its own local needs in concert with the larger needs of the institution.”
As part of the health science center-wide plan, in the event of an emergency situation information is available on the Emergency Information page to let people know the status of essential infrastructure services. This page can also be reached through the emergency information link at the bottom of the university’s home page.
— Pamela Lewis, Institutional Advancement
Date Posted: 07/01/2008
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