EAM 4003: Mitigation & COOP Final Project Spring 2019

Mitigation Strategy for Arkansas Tech University

Russellville Campus

Adam Wilson
EAM 4003: Mitigation & COOP
Spring 2019

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EAM 4003: Mitigation & COOP Final Project Spring 2019

Justification
Arkansas Tech University is tasked with the safety of over 12,000 students and faculty. In order
to facilitate an environment that allows for effective learning, it must take mitigative steps
against several hazards. Many of these threats are improbable. However, because they are
possible, Arkansas Tech must develop and enact a strong mitigation strategy. Taking such
actions will increase the resiliency of campus operations.

Failure to undertake mitigative actions places Arkansas Tech at financial risk as well. On most
insurance claims, ATU must meet a $25,000 deductible (Arkansas Tech University, 2018).
Historically, more events falling below the deductible threshold have occurred than above. As a
result, many costs associated with recovery must be paid directly by Arkansas Tech. Taking
action to mitigate events, even those with low potential damage, can prevent long-term expenses.

Development of Mitigation Steps

Following a review of the Arkansas Tech University Mitigation Strategy, steps and objectives
have been developed for five of the identified threats. The following strategies were developed
taking into consideration previous threat assessments, cost evaluations, and an analysis of
benefits.

Recommended steps shall mitigate hazards in order to increase general safety for students,
faculty, and infrastructure on the Arkansas Tech University Russellville campus. To provide a
method of evaluating progress, objectives have been set for each threat. By establishing
objectives, and proposals by which to meet them, this mitigation strategy will provide actionable
solutions to risks facing the Russellville campus.

Completion of the relevant objective will indicate that the mitigation actions have been
successful. For example, the top objective for disease control is to “Reduce vulnerability to on-
campus disease outbreaks.” Mitigation steps recommend have been chosen to promote that goal.
In instances where more than one threat may be mitigated by the same action, each has been
noted in the “Hazard addressed” section.

Evaluation of Threats
Using the prioritization system developed by the Arkansas Tech University Mitigation Planning
Team, chosen threats will be assigned priorities of HIGH, MEDIUM, or LOW (Arkansas Tech
University, n.d.b). For the purpose of this assignment, threats were chosen in order to provide a
variety of mitigation opportunities, not based on highest evaluated threat.

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Objectives

1. Reduce vulnerability to on-campus pandemics

a. Provide optional vaccinations when outbreaks occur in-state
b. Allow for the distribution of contraception within residences
2. Strengthen infrastructure for tornadoes
a. Improve access to tornado shelters
b. Prune vegetation to prevent damage
3. Retrofit buildings to improve performance in extreme temperatures
a. Improve ventilation in residencies
b. Install thermometers throughout structures
4. Retrofit facilities to protect against severe weather
a. Connect all sensitive electronics to surge protectors
b. Install double-pane windows
5. Protect against wildfire
a. Maintain a supply of filter-masks for at-risk students
b. Evaluate the need for fire breaks between campus structures

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Mitigation Actions

1.a
Priority: Medium

Hazard Addressed: Pandemics

Action- Project Title: Providing optional vaccinations when outbreaks occur in-state

Responsible Agency/Dept: ATU Health Center

Cost Estimate: $5,100-$26,000/year (CDC, n.d.a)

Time Frame: 6 months

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Increases resistance to outbreaks

Description: Upon the detection of a contagious disease outbreak within the state of Arkansas
by the Arkansas Department of Health or ADEM, relevant vaccines should be made available to
students. Delivery may be conducted through the ATU Health Center. Increasing vaccination
rates on campus decreases the likelihood of an outbreak occurring while limiting infection
spread, should one occur (CDC, n.d.b).

1.b
Priority: Low

Hazard Addressed: Pandemics

Action- Project Title: Allow for contraceptives to be distributed in campus housing at no cost

Responsible Agency/Dept: ATU Health Center

Cost Estimate: $1,400/semester (RCAPP, 2019)

Time Frame: 4 months

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Decrease STD infection on campus

Description: Condoms are currently available to students for free from Student Wellness.
Distribution, therefore, is limited to office hours of the department. Enabling the distribution of
condoms within student housing can increase usage and limit the spread of STD’s (RCAPP,
2019).

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2.a
Priority: High

Hazard Addressed: Tornadoes

Action- Project Title: Improve Access to Tornado Shelters

Responsible Agency/Dept: Student Housing

Cost Estimate: $370,000 (or $300 per resident sheltered) (FEMA, 2006)

Time Frame: 3 years

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Improves safety during tornadic weather

Description: Construct and designate clear tornado shelters for dorms without adequate spaces.
Currently, multiple campus residences lack facilities that can serve as shelters during an
emergency. Residents of these dorms are unable to shelter an adequate distance away from
windows, or unable to all fit into the designated space. New shelters should be incorporated into
current buildings through retrofitting when possible.

2.b
Priority: High

Hazard Addressed: Tornadoes/High Winds

Action- Project Title: Prune vegetation to limit property damage

Responsible Agency/Dept: Facilities Management

Cost Estimate: $10,000-$18,000 (Arkansas Tech University, 2018)

Time Frame: 4 months

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Mitigates property damage from severe weather

Description: Trim and maintain trees on the Russellville campus in order to minimize the risk of
downed limbs causing damage to property. Planting trees adjacent to buildings should be
considered carefully to avoid long-term complications from growth. The health of trees adjacent
to parking spaces should be evaluated and potentially removed.

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3.a
Priority: Medium

Hazard Addressed: Extreme Temperatures

Action- Project Title: Improve ventilation in dormitories

Responsible Agency/Dept: Facilities Management

Cost Estimate: Contingent upon building inspections

Time Frame: 3 years

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Mitigates building damage from moisture and heat

Description: Multiple on-campus residences have needed costly maintenance to control heat-
related issues and mold. Due to the addition of triple-rooms to residences, ventilation systems
should be inspected and improved to handle the increased load. Inadequate systems should be
retrofitted accordingly.

3.b
Priority: Low

Hazard Addressed: Extreme Temperatures

Action- Project Title: Install thermometers throughout structures

Responsible Agency/Dept: Facilities Management

Cost Estimate: $5,000

Time Frame: 1 year

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Allows for temperature monitoring in at-risk locations

Description: Install digital thermometers at various locations in buildings. The presence of

thermometers will allow for more accurate information on the performance of air-conditioning
units. It will also allow for clarity to be added to work-orders regarding room temperatures.

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4.a
Priority: High

Hazard Addressed: Severe Weather

Action- Project Title: Connect all sensitive electronics to surge protectors

Responsible Agency/Dept: Information Technologies

Cost Estimate: $8,500

Time Frame: 4 months

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Limit damaged posed by lightning strikes

Description: Identify electronics and equipment that are sensitive to power surges. Install surge
protectors on those systems in order to lower the risk of damage from lightning strikes. By doing
so, data loss and costly repairs can be avoided. Electronics considered “sensitive” should be
those that perform essential functions, store personal information, or are particularly fragile.

4.b
Priority: Low

Hazard Addressed: Severe Weather

Action- Project Title: Install double-pane windows

Responsible Agency/Dept: Facilities Management

Cost Estimate: $150,000-$250,000 (Remodeling Costs, 2018)

Time Frame: 2 years

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Protect property and improve safety

Description: Mitigates damage from wind, hail, and tornadoes to structures. Westward facing
windows, specifically, face the highest risk from the aforementioned threats. High wind, hail,
and tornadoes can create projectiles capable of breaking windows. Double-pane windows
increases resiliency while also improving energy efficiency within the building (Remodeling
Costs, 2018).

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5.a
Priority: Low

Hazard Addressed: Wildfire/Pandemics

Action- Project Title: Maintain a supply of filter-masks for at-risk students

Responsible Agency/Dept: ATU Health Center

Cost Estimate: $750

Time Frame: 1 year

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Protects students with weakened respiratory systems.

Description: Wildfires occurring on or near campus are low, but the smoke created by one is
particularly dangerous to students with weakened respiratory systems. A small quantity, around
3,000, masks should be stored on campus so that students may request one when needed.
Wildfire smoke can drift for long distances, so even remote fires could be problematic for
students.

5.b
Priority: High

Hazard Addressed: Wildfires/structural fires

Action- Project Title: Evaluate the need for firebreaks between campus structures

Responsible Agency/Dept: Facilities Management

Cost Estimate: Contingent upon evaluation

Time Frame: 1 year

Contribution to Mitigation Objective: Identifies fire hazards posed by vegetation

Description: Establish a team to identify vegetation that could allow fire to spread between
structures. Upon the identification of an at-risk location, take steps to remove or prune the
vegetation. Include in official policy that fire spread should be considered when planting near
buildings.

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Works Cited
Arkansas Tech University. (n.d.)a. Residence Halls. Retrieved April 24, 2019, from
https://www.atu.edu/reslife/res-halls/index.php
Arkansas Tech University. (2018). Arkansas Tech University 2018-19 Operating Budget.
Arkansas Tech University. (n.d.)b. Arkansas Tech University Pre-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Center for Disease Control. (n.d.)a. Current CDC Vaccine Price List. Retrieved April 22, 2019, from
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/awardees/vaccine-management/price-list/index.html
Center for Disease Control. (n.d.)b. Vaccination Coverage for Selected Vaccines, Exemption Rates,
and Provisional Enrollment Among Children in Kindergarten - United States, 2016–17 School
Year. Retrieved April 22, 2019, from
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6640a3.htm
FEMA. (2006). Design Guidance for Shelters and Safe Rooms. Risk Management Series. Retrieved
April 22, 2019.
Remodeling Costs. (2018). Window Replacement Cost, Plus Window Types and Pros & Cons.
Retrieved April 22, 2019, from https://www.remodelingcosts.org/window-replacement-cost/
Resource Center for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. (2019). Statistics: Sexual Activity. Retrieved
April 22, 2019, from
http://recapp.etr.org/recapp/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.StatisticsDetail&PageID=555

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