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McKnight Brain Institute University of Florida
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MBI-UF Disaster Plan

McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida Natural Disaster/Hurricane Emergency Plan

Building Emergency Coordinator:

Kelly Sharp, MBI Administration, Finance, and Facilities Director

Objective:

The objective of this plan is to establish procedures for the McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Florida (MBI-UF) consistent with those already established for the rest of the University of Florida (http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/emergencies/) for implementation prior to, during and following a hurricane or other natural catastrophe. The plan gives primary consideration to required actions necessary to protect University property, students, staff and the public. Within its resource limitations, the MBI-UF will work cooperatively with the University, city, county and state authorities to respond to the general community needs.

Identification of Weather Conditions:

In the event a hurricane threatens UF facilities, the US Weather Bureau will issue “Hurricane Watch” (i.e., threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours) and/or “Hurricane Warning” (i.e., hurricane conditions expected within 24 hours) information.

Pre-Hurricane Preparation:

  1. Alternate Building Emergency Coordinator: Felecia Milton, Administrative Assistant, will serve as the Alternate Building Emergency Coordinator.
  2. Evacuation Procedures: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify each of the departmental and special group emergency coordinators to insure that everyone leaves the building promptly and that appropriate measures are taken to secure equipment, animals and other items. This latter group is composed of the same individuals we use to coordinate the building evacuation in the event of a fire or fire alarm. Written instructions for these actions will be provided.
  3. Rooftop Equipment: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify UF Health Science Center Physical Plant of our need to have all rooftop equipment secured.
  4. Animals: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify the Director of the UF Health Science Center Animal Resources Department of our need to have the maintenance of all animals housed in the MBI-UF building prepared for this emergency.
  5. Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Equipment: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify the Director of the MBI-UF Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy (AMRIS) facility, of the need to prepare our five superconducting high field NMR/MRI instruments for this emergency. All of these magnets require periodic cryogen service (i.e., the liquid nitrogen and liquid helium tanks need to be refilled) in order to prevent uncontrolled quenching which could damage these multimillion dollar instruments. The potential for flooding and massive power fluctuations are also prime concerns.
  6. Computing and Information Technology Services Equipment: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify the CIO UF-Shand Computing and Information Technology Services, of the need to prepare the conference facilities and all necessary servers for this emergency. The potential for flooding and massive power fluctuations are our main concerns.
  7. RadioSurgery/Biology Lab: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify the Director of the MBI-UF RadioSurgery/Biology Lab of the need to prepare this multimillion dollar facility for this emergency. The potential for flooding and massive power fluctuations are our main concerns.
  8. Human Brain Tissue Bank: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify the Director of the MBI-UF Human Brain Tissue Bank of the need to prepare this human tissue storage facility for this emergency. Power outages are our main concern.
  9. Human Applications “GMP” Lab: In the event we are notified of the need to evacuate, the MBI will notify the Director of the MBI-UF Human Applications “GMP” Lab of the need to prepare this human pharmaceutical grade viral and non-viral gene delivery vector and tissue/cellular transplant production facility for this emergency. Power and HVAC outages are our main concerns.

Hurricane Watch

In the event we are notified of a Hurricane Watch, the MBI will notify each of the contact people listed above to ensure that preparations are made for all pre-hurricane plans to be implemented.

Hurricane Warning – Emergency Procedures

In the event we are notified of a Hurricane Warning, the MBI will notify each of the contact people listed above to ensure that evacuation and related measures, as described above in the pre-hurricane plans, are implemented. After the evacuation and building security plans described above are completed (this will be verified by Kelly Sharp and each of the contact people listed above in the pre-hurricane plans), the building will be locked by the MBI and/or University Policy Department personnel.

During Hurricane

All personnel, including MBI administration and directors, and all contact personnel listed above in the pre-hurricane plans, will leave the campus after completing the emergency procedures described above.

Post Hurricane

As soon as the MBI is notified that it is safe to return to the building, they will notify each of the contact people listed above in the pre-hurricane plans, that it is now safe for them to initiate a damage survey and any restorative procedures (e.g., refilling the cryogen tanks in the AMRIS facility) they deem necessary. A report of the damages and restorative procedures will be given to Kelly Sharp and others as deemed appropriate (e.g., departmental chairs) as well as to the Emergency Operations Center.