Senior Emergency Response Group (SERG)

Emergency Procedures

College Emergency Procedures & Policies (Including Weather Emergencies)

A Senior Emergency Response Group (SERG) determines the existence and nature of an emergency (including weather emergencies) affecting the college, and initiates appropriate action and communication regarding such events. SERG will continue to serve during the emergency, to coordinate the college’s efforts, and to advise the President on decisions regarding the emergency.

SERG Operating Procedures
  1. Following consultation with the Director of Campus Safety, the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the President’s Chief of Staff, and the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, the President will determine whether to convene the SERG. In their absence, the Director of Campus Safety will activate the SERG. The Director or his/her designee will inform the Bates Communication Office of the incident. In the event of imminent danger to individuals or groups of individuals, public safety procedures will take precedence over immediately activating SERG.
  2. Bates Campus Safety will contact the SERG and other necessary personnel.
  3. Immediate objectives of SERG, once convened, include:
    • Identify the nature and scope of the emergency.
    • Establish priorities and coordinate crisis response efforts.
    • Coordinate with outside agencies including, but not limited to, law enforcement, fire department, the American Red Cross, and state and federal emergency management authorities.
    • Determine the times and means to report efforts and progress to the campus community.
  4. Closure

    In the event of an emergency, SERG will determine whether or not college services are to remain open.  When services are interrupted or if the college is to close, an announcement will be made at www.bates.edu. and through the college’s emergency notification service, Blackboard Connect.  If college offices are closed, only those personnel already defined in advance by the director of the department as “essential” should report for work; no other personnel should report.  “Essential” personnel will be needed only to preserve safety, health, and maintenance functions.  If college offices are declared open, all personnel should assume that they report to work.
  5. Weather Emergencies

    While emergencies can take many forms, most, in Maine, involve weather.  Snow does not by itself constitute an emergency.  As a residential college, every effort is made to keep the campus open to support our students and their education.  Closure-which can be a full day, a delayed start, or an early close-occurs when a unique hazard exists on campus, when the college facilities team is unable to suitably prepare the campus to be open, or if extreme weather is present, particularly during regular commuting hours.

Please see the employee handbook, section 805.3, for additional information.

Special events and programs (including non-resident Summer programs)

These programs will be canceled if the college closes its administrative offices; while an effort to provide appropriate notice will be made when canceling a specific event, the assumption shall be that special events are canceled when college offices are closed.