Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Polic e Department General Orders
1
7.4 Emergency Notification System
7.4.3 Procedures (Revised : 4/4/23 )
A. The Mass Notification System (MNS) may be used for emergency, urgent and
informational warnings and updates concerning events which may pose a risk to life,
safety or property. Procedures for each are:
1. Confirmation of Emergency
Before an emergency notification is to be sent via the MNS, the Authorized
Individual will take prudent me asures to confirm the threat or actual emergency
condition exists. Depending upon the nature of the event he/she will contact the
appropriate age ncy or department (UCSF or City and County of San Francisco )
to:
a. Verify the threat/event is credible
b. Identify the potential or actual location(s), scope and impact up on life,
safety and or property
c. Determine the imminence of the threat/event.
2. Contacting Appropriate Agencie s or Departments
The agencies/departments depend on the type of threat/event, but may include:
a. UCSF P olice Department or local law enforcement agency (e.g., for
animal extremist s, terrorism, civil disturbances)
b. EH&S (e.g., for H azMat)
c. Facilities Management (e.g., for n atural gas leaks)
d. UCSF Medical Center technical advisors (e.g., public health or biosecurity
emergencies ).
3. Sending Timely Emergency Notifications
Emergency notifications shall be sent without delay, unless in the professional
judgment of th e authorized campus official(s) sending a mass notification warning
could compromise effo rts to protect life, safety or property.
If the process of contacting sources to confirm a threat or emergency is creating
delays, based upon the available information, its source, the imminence of the
threat to life, safety or property and the profession al judgment of the authorized
individual, an emergency notification may be issued immediately , when in the
best interest of public safety.
B. The M NS shall be activated for emergency or urgent communications, o r important
related information:
1. Emergency Situations
a. Possible unexpected emergencies that would activate the MNS include,
but are not limited to , the following:
(1) Natural disasters (e.g., earthquake, fire, flood) that put the campus
in immediate danger
University of California, San Francisco
Polic e Department General Orders
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(2) Chemical spills or accidents that require evacuation of the campus.
(3) Hostage or violent situations requiring evacuation, lockdown, or
closure of campus (e.g., Active Threat ).
b. The Chief of Police or authorized indiv idual shall direct the activation of
the MNS and designate the appropriate entity (public safety dispatch
personnel, HSEM personnel or authorized police staff) to deliver said
message.
c. Reasonable follow -up communications shall be sent re gularly, for the
duration of the emergency , to inform the general population of significant
updates.
d. Follow -up communications shall be sent to emergency personnel and EOC
staff for the duration of the emergency to inform them of any important
changes of emergency statu s or other information deemed nece ssary for
emergency operations.
e. An informational communication shall be sent when the emergency
situation has ended.
2. Urgent Situations
a. Possible urgent situations that would activate the MNS include, but are not
limited to , the following:
(1) Natural disasters that do not pose an immediate danger but do pose
a potential future danger to the campus.
(2) Local emergencies or events that could eventually lead to
evacuation, lockdown, closure, or major disruption on or off
campus that could affect normal operations.
(3) Threats against UCSF staff, faculty, students, affiliates, facilities,
residences or property (e.g., Animal Researchers)
b. Appropriate campus officials shall be consulted as needed to determine the
urgency, timing, and nature of the communication to be distributed.
c. The content of the urgent communication shall be developed by the Chief
of Police or other authorized personnel. Whenever possible,
communications should be reviewed by the Universit y Offic e of
Communication prior to being delivered.
d. The Chief of Police or authorized personnel shall direct the activation of
the MNS and designate the appropriate entity (public safety dispatch
personnel, HSEM personnel or authorized police staff) to deliver said
message.
e. Reasonable follow -up communications shall be sent regularly for the
duration of the emergency to inform the general population of significant
updates.
f. Follow -up communications may be sent to emergency personnel and EOC
staff for the du ration of the emergency to inform them of any important
changes of emergency status or other information deemed necessary for
emergency operations
University of California, San Francisco
Polic e Department General Orders
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g. An informational communication may be sent when the situation requiring
the alert has ended.
3. Informati onal Communications
a. Important information that would activate that MNS includes, but is not
limited to , the following:
(1) Local emergencies or events that have concluded and do not affect
normal operations but will likely be visible to the community and
external audiences via the news media.
(2) Information related to an ongoing or concluded event that does not
pose a likely threat to safety or security.
(3) Locations of disaster aid or assistance (First Aid, shelters,
transportation, etc .).
b. Appropriate campus officials shall consult as needed to determine the