Santa Fe Community College Crisis Management Team

• NCJ Number: 199778
• Journal: Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2003 Pages: 25-36
• Author(s): Daryl Johnston
• Date Published: January 2003
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description; Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents the principles, planning, organization, and procedures of the crisis management team used by the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) Police Department.

Abstract

The SFCC's crisis management team structure is an adaptation of the National Incident Management System used by many public safety agencies in the United States. The crisis management team (CMT) composition is structured under the crisis manager. The crisis manager can use any or all of the subordinate levels found in the organizational chart and add beyond those listed as needed. The organizational structure unfolds from the crisis manager's decision about the initial assessment of the CMT. The simplest structure should include the crisis manager, incident manager, planner, police, and public information officer. The purpose of the organizational structure is to permit the actions necessary to manage effectively all types and sizes of crisis situations. In addition to discussing CMT organization, this article discusses the responsibilities of key positions in the CMT, the sequence of team reporting, police liaisons as aids to communication, the college CMT's location, internal communications ability, training, critical incident stress debriefing, and exercises. The article's section on CMT functions addresses the responsibilities of the incident manager, public safety liaison, the unified command structure, legal counsel, planning, the incident action plan, operations, the tasks of the public information officer, logistics, finance, the police function, and safety. An overview of CMT responsibilities and skills pertain to the various tasks and qualifications of the team members. Steps in the development of a crisis management program are outlined, and the article concludes with the presentation of the SFCC's CMT checklist. Resources for additional information are listed.