The built environment that we live, study, and work in interacts with natural, technological, or man-made hazards and risks. In 2011 the Emergency Planning Team reviewed the Hazard Identification and Risk Analysis survey to identify the greatest areas of risk in the context of disasters that could impact Rollins.
This information is used to prioritize preparedness activities, implement mitigation, and aid in the overall planning process and design of the Rollins College Emergency Operations framework.
National Fire Prevention Association 1600, A.5.3 states:
“A comprehensive risk assessment identifies the range of possible hazards,
threats, or perils that have or might impact the entity, surrounding area,
or critical infrastructure supporting the entity. The potential impact of each
hazard, threat, or peril is determined by the severity of each and the vulnerability
of people, property, operations, the environment, and the entity to each threat,
hazard or peril. The risk assessment should categorize threats, hazards, or perils
by both their relative frequency and severity, keeping in mind there might be
many possible combinations of frequency and severity for each. The entity should
attempt to mitigate, prepare for, plan to respond to, and recover from those threats,
hazards, or perils that are able to significantly impact people, property, operations,
the environment, or the entity itself.”
To determine the relative risk of hazards on campus, many variables were considered for each category of hazard. Historical probability, human impact, facilities impact, institutional impact, and severity were combined using a formula to generate a numerical ranking for each hazard.
Based on this survey, the following are considered the top 10 hazards at Rollins College:
1. Fire
2. Hurricanes
3. Violent, Criminal, or Disruptive Behavior
4. Tornado
5. Hazardous Chemical Spill or Release
6. Critical Utilities Failure
7. Terrorism
8. Aircraft Accident, Explosion, or Similar Incident
9. Infectious Disease/Pandemic
10. Psychological Emergency
The results of the risk assessment can:
1. Create an awareness of hazards and risks.
2. Provide a confident basis for decision making and planning.
3. Prioritize hazards and potential impacts.
4. Identify who and what may be at risk.
5. Provide justification for the commitment of funding and resources.
6. Highlight opportunities for mitigation efforts.
7. Identify gaps and weaknesses in current protective measures.
8. Improve existing capabilities.
9. Develop effective warning and evacuation systems.
10. Contribute to land use planning.
This Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment is reviewed on an annual basis by the Emergency Planning Team.