Welcome to Emergency Planning

The Emergency Management Program at the University of Waterloo follows a framework based on the five pillars of emergency management: Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. This program includes hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA), emergency planning, effective communication and notification processes, awareness initiatives, response training, and various other activities designed to build a more resilient university community.

The emergency planning & fire safety officer is responsible for managing the University’s preparedness and response to natural disasters and human-caused emergencies. This role focuses on providing strong leadership, fostering internal and external collaborations, enhancing emergency communication, and ensuring continuous improvement in emergency planning efforts. The overarching goal is to ensure the University takes all necessary measures to prepare for and mitigate potential emergencies, train community members on emergency response procedures, and support recovery efforts.

The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) outlines the structure and procedures for managing emergencies that affect the University or its community. The HIRA process helps identify hazard-specific risks and informs the development of targeted plans to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance resilience. Additionally, HIRA is integrated with the University Risk Management Program to align emergency planning with the institution's broader risk management framework.

The priorities of the Emergency Response Plan are to:

  1. Protect lives
  2. Stabilize the incident
  3. Protect the environment
  4. Safeguard University property
  5. Restore critical services, education, and research programs

The ERP also complies with the provincial Incident Management System (IMS), as established by Emergency Management Ontario (EMO). Using IMS enables seamless coordination with external response partners, including Waterloo Regional Police Service, Waterloo Fire Rescue, Regional Emergency Medical Services, and other local, provincial, and federal agencies.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to emergency planning at the University of Waterloo, please contact the emergency planning and fire safety officer.