Critical Incident Response Team

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Critical Incident Response Team

• Texas AM University
• Division of Student Affairs

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WHY ARE UNIVERSITIES DEVELOPING CRITICAL
INCIDENT RESPONSE PROGRAMS?

• HISTORICAL OVERVIEW CAMPUS CRISIS
• University of Florida
• Student Serial Murders (1990)
• University of Miami / FIU / USF
• Hurricane Andrew (1992)
• Texas AM University
• Student Death at Fish Camp
• Off Campus Homicide Arson Incident

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Other Factors that Lead to the Development
ofUniversity Crisis Response Teams

• PARENT EXPECTATIONS
• Helicopter Hovering Soccer Mom era
• Pay a lot for their education safety want to
  know when things happen
• COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
• Apartment/Property Owners
• Hospital/ER staff
• Neighborhood Associations
• City Councils
• Law Enforcement

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CIRT Established 1994

• Team Members Identified
• Basic Notification Process Created
• Begin Responding to IncidentsOn the Job
  Education
• Suicide Attempts, Alcohol/Drug Overdoses, etc.
• Auto Accidents
• Apartment Fires
• Airplane Crash at Easterwood Field
• Notification of Family / Friends / Work with FAA
  NTSB

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Purpose of CIRT

• Respond to critical incidents involving current
  students in the local B/CS area
• Serve as a University contact when students are
  involved in critical incidents away from the
  College Station campus

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Goals of the Critical Incident Response Team

• To coordinate the Universitys response to
  critical incidents involving students while
  paying special attention to the safety and
  security needs of members of the University
  community
• To offer guidance and appropriate support to
  members of the University community, their
  families and University care givers
• To use critical incidents, when appropriate as
  teachable moments which may enhance the quality
  of life for all those touched by critical
  incidents.

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Definition of a CRITICAL INCIDENT
A life-threatening or serious situation that
involves a TAMU Student(s)

• Death of a Student (on or off campus)
• Attempted Suicide
• Life Threatening Injury/Illness
• Sexual Assault
• Mental Health Crisis
• Drug/Alcohol Overdose
• Campus Disturbance/Riot

• Contacting Students in Cases of Family Emergency
• Fire/Explosion with Injuries or Significant
  Damage
• Natural Disasters
• Airplane Crashes
• Infectious disease
• International hostage situations/kidnappings
• National Emergencies
• Hate/Bias Incidents

not all inclusive
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Call UNIVERSITY POLICE DISPATCH [phone]
How is CIRT Activated?
6 On-Call CIRT Staff 24 hours/7 days week
(year round)
1 Back-up Staff 24 hours/7 days week (year
round)
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CIRT ON-CALL PERSONNEL

• Ms. Risa Bierman
• Ms. Tracey Forman
• Ms. Tara Boyle
• Ms. Cynthia Hernandez
• Mr. Gary Booth
• Mr. Mike Krenz
• Mr. Jeff Stefancic
• Mr. John Wickline

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CIRT Membership

• Athletics
• Blinn College
• Corps of Cadets
• Employee Assistance Program
• Environmental Health Safety
• Evans Library
• International Programs for Students
• Memorial Student Center
• Multicultural Services
• Provost Office
• Recreational Sports

• Residence Life
• Security University Police
• Special Events Facilities
• Student Activities
• Student Counseling Service
• Student Financial Aid
• Student Health Services
• Student Life
• TAMU Federation of Aggie Mothers Clubs
• Marketing Communications
• VP for Student Affairs

Departments w/in Division of Student Affairs
Departments / Agencies Outside Division
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CIRT Response Procedures
UPD contacts CIRT Person on Call
CIRT Person on Call Assesses the situation
Checklist used to make appropriate contacts and
referrals
Depending on nature of incident, one or more of
the following may occur.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
Access to Family/Guardian Information
Next of Kin
Rumor Control
FERPA
Access to Medical/Insurance Information
Medical Records
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This year to name a few

• Train bridge accident
• Meningitis students
• House fire
• Student deaths
• Car accidents
• Sexual assaults

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Student Assistance Services

• Notification of Instructors
• Permanent or temporary absence
• Personal Counseling Referrals
• Psychological evaluation / assessment
• Support Assistance to victims, witnesses,
  friends, bystanders, etc..
• Assistance in Contacting Roommates
• Accommodations for Disabilities
• Upon their return to school or while they are out
• Academic Referrals
• Withdrawing from School
• Addressing Family Needs
• Hospital/hotel stays, transportation to from
  airport,
• Extracurricular Activities

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For More Information
Contact CIRT Office Dean of Student Life1257
TAMU College Station, TX 77843-1257 979.845.3113
cirt_at_tamu.edu
http//cirt.tamu.edu