16.6 Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT)

(12/18; 6/19; 3/14/19)

Following the formal adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the subsequent implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS) on March 14, 2019, this policy is under revision to reflect alignment with NIMS principles and other federal emergency management and homeland security guidance and directives.

If you have questions, please contact the Director of Emergency Management, 808 University Capitol Centre, 319-384-2784.

  1. In the event of a crisis incident, the Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety or designee will notify the Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations, who will convene the Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT). The CIMT is comprised of members from University administration and selected department heads. The CIMT will be assembled to address the immediate crisis and will disband when the crisis has ended and normal operating systems are in place.
  2. The Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) consists of:
    1. Vice President for Student Life: Provides liaison with the President and vice presidents for reporting the status of the recovery operation and on student matters.
    2. Senior Advisors to the President: Provide assistance to the President.
    3. Assistant Vice President for Campus Safety: Provides the initial response to the majority of campus emergencies. Acts as liaison with the Vice President for Student Life.
    4. Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel: Provides input to the CIMT on legal matters.
    5. Executive Vice President and Provost: Provides liaison with the President and vice presidents for consultation on institutional instruction and faculty matters.
    6. Vice President for External Relations: Communicates with the news media, public, staff, faculty, and students.
    7. Chief Human Resources Officer: Provides support for human resources elements of recovery and staff notification through the Office of Strategic Communication.
    8. Associate Vice President and Director of Purchasing and Business Services: Provides input to the CIMT on University business matters related to the incident.
    9. Chief Risk Officer: Acts as liaison with insurance carriers and claims adjusters. Coordinates insurance program with continuity planning programs.
    10. Vice President for Research: Provides liaison to affected research areas.
    11. Associate Vice President and Director of Facilities Management: Provides for the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of University buildings, most campus grounds, and all utility systems.
    12. Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations: Communicates with the Board of Regents on response and recovery operations.
    13. Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer: Advises on issues related to ITS.
    14. Vice President for Medical Affairs: Provides liaison to affected medical areas.
  3. The CIMT may be expanded to include the following or others as needed:
    1. Director of University Counseling Service,
    2. Assistant Vice President, Total Rewards,
    3. Director of Environmental Health and Safety,
    4. Associate Vice President and CEO of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics,
    5. Director of University Housing and Dining,
    6. Director of Animal Resources and University Veterinarian, 
    7. Administrative Director of Student Health and Wellness, and
    8. Director of Employee Assistance Program.
  4. The CIMT's role is to support the emergency field operations from the Incident Command Center. The CIMT will not respond to the scene nor will they manage the initial response to an incident. It is the responsibility of emergency responders at the scene to isolate, contain, and neutralize the incident.
  5. In accordance with National Incident Management System (NIMS), the CIMT will be responsible for managing and directing the activities of the various departments that will be involved in crisis response and recovery. During the initial stages of the crisis, the CIMT will be responsible for providing resources for field operations when requested. It is the responsibility of the person(s) in charge of the scene to communicate with the CIMT to provide status reports and to inform the team as to what resources are needed. The CIMT will be responsible for managing and directing the activities of the various departments that will be involved in crisis response and recovery.
  6. Critical incidents are defined as those situations which have the potential to cause injury or loss of life, major campus disruptions, and property damage or loss. The following are examples of events which may be designated as a critical incident which would activate the CIMT. These are merely examples and do not constitute a comprehensive list of possible crisis events.
    1. Fire, explosion, hazardous substance spill, or other damage to campus property which may require closing the site temporarily or permanently.
    2. Failure of utility systems to the extent that one or more buildings are without service.
    3. An incident resulting in or with the potential for fatality or major injuries.
  7. Critical incident planning prioritization criteria: 
    1. Protect human life; prevent/minimize personal injury.
    2. Prevent/minimize damage to physical assets, including structures, animals, and research data.
    3. Protect the environment.
    4. Restore normal operations.