Emergency Management & Continuity of Operations - Western University
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Emergency Management & Continuity of Operations
Preparing Western for emergencies, major events, disruptions, and recovery. We support campus-wide emergency preparedness, response coordination, continuity, and recovery.
Need emergency help?
Call 911 immediately if there is an emergency, immediate danger, fire, medical emergency, crime in progress, or urgent threat to safety.
For non-emergency campus safety assistance, contact Western Special Constable Service at 519-661-3300.
What are you looking for?
Alert WesternU
Receive emergency notifications and critical safety information from Western.
Emergency Management
Learn how Western supports mitigation, preparedness, response coordination, and recovery.
Major Events Support
Learn how emergency planning and operational readiness can support large or complex campus events.
Continuity of Operations
Learn how departments and units can prepare to continue critical functions during disruptions.
AED Program
Learn about Western’s AED program and emergency medical readiness.
Contact Us
Contact Emergency Management & Continuity of Operations for planning, preparedness, or program support.
Western’s emergency management framework
Western’s emergency management work is organized around four connected areas: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mitigation
Actions that help reduce risk to people, property, critical operations, and the campus environment before an emergency occurs.
Preparedness
Planning, training, communication systems, exercises, resources, and partnerships that support an effective emergency response.
Response
Coordinated actions taken before, during, or after an emergency to protect life safety, reduce damage, and support the campus community.
Recovery
Steps that help restore critical services, resume teaching and research, support affected people, and return operations to normal or improved levels.
Stay informed during an emergency
Alert WesternU shares urgent emergency and safety information with the Western community.
Download the Alertable app, keep your contact information current, and follow official Western instructions during an emergency.
Alert WesternU
Members of the Western community are encouraged to download the Alertable app and review their notification settings to receive timely emergency information.
How we support Western
Emergency Management & Continuity of Operations supports planning, coordination, and preparedness work before, during, and after significant incidents or disruptions.
Planning and preparedness
Emergency plans, readiness activities, exercises, communication processes, and partnerships that support Western’s ability to respond effectively.
Coordination and response support
Support for coordinated response during emergencies, major incidents, planned events, or disruptions that may affect campus operations.
Continuity and recovery
Support for departments and units preparing to continue critical functions, restore services, and return to normal operations.
Major events and operational readiness
Emergency Management & Continuity of Operations supports planning and preparation for major campus events where emergency readiness, communication, resource coordination, traffic or crowd considerations, weather planning, or response support may be required.
Mobile Operations Trailer
Supports field coordination, planned operations, event readiness, and emergency response support where an on-site operational presence is helpful.
Emergency Operations Centre
Supports information sharing, resource coordination, decision support, and communication during significant incidents, disruptions, or major campus events.
Emergency Operations Control Group
Supports senior-level coordination, strategic decision-making, communication, resource support, and recovery planning during significant emergencies or disruptions.
Continuity of Operations
Helping departments prepare for disruptions to critical services and operations.
Continuity planning helps Western departments and units prepare for disruptions that could affect services, facilities, systems, staffing, teaching, research, or other university operations.
Continuity Planning
Plan for disruption. Support recovery.
This work helps Western continue essential services, restore operations, and return to normal activity as safely and efficiently as possible.