Critical Incident Management
The safety of staff, students and visitors is paramount. We take this responsibility seriously.
As part of the University’s coordinated approach to incident management, a Critical Incident Team is in place to support efficient and effective decision making to manage your safety and security on campus. The University operates with a number of approved planes and processes to support the management of serious and critical incidents.
The Critical Incident Team comprises of Executive and senior staff who operate with the support of specialist units to assist in managing both the incident and the recovery from the incident.
The Critical Incident Team is supported by an Emergency Communications Team with with staff from the Marketing and Communications and the Student Communications teams who are responsible for drafting and disseminating communications to staff, students, media and other key stakeholders during an incident.
The Critical Incident Team undertake formal training exercises each year which occurs under realistic conditions to test the team’s response and plans.
When an incident is declared, the Critical Incident Team actively manages the incident. Consideration is given to all aspects of an incident with a primary focus on safety and wellbeing. At the conclusion of an incident, the team meets to consider and what worked well and what improvements can be implemented to enhance the critical incident processes.
Critical Incident Communications
During an incident, you may receive specific messages sent on behalf of the Critical Incident Team. These messages may be sent by email or SMS advising you as to where you can find additional information on the situation or providing specific instructions.
Further information on an incident will be regularly updated on a dedicated alert page on the University website. Please take time to read the messages and the alerts as they will keep you up to date on the status of the incident.
Remember to keep your emergency contact details up-to-date so that the team can contact you as needed during a critical incident. Staff can update their emergency contact details directly through HR online.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.