Page 51 - UNIZULU Disaster Management Plan Report

15.2.2 Human Resources Division
The HR Division has the following responsibilities with regard to communicable infectious diseases involving university employees:
PREPAREDNESS:
1) Establish policies for employee sick leave absences unique to communicable infectious diseases (e.g., non-punitive, liberal leave).
2) Establish sick leave policies for employees suspected to be ill or who become ill on campus. Employees with a known or suspected communicable infectious disease should not remain on campus and should return only after their symptoms resolve and they are physically ready to return to campus.
3) CIODA
15.2.3 Communications and Marketing Division
Upon receiving notification of a communicable infectious disease involving a university student or employee, the Director of Communications and Marketing has the following responsibilities:
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:
1) Develop a communication plan for communication with employees, students, contractors, and families, including lead spokespersons and links to other communication networks, bearing in mind the potential fear and anxiety of employees, students, contractors and families that may result from rumours or misinformation.
2) Establish a disaster communication plan that identifies key contacts with local and state public health officials as well as the Department of Higher Education and Training and Higher Health officials and the chain of communications.
3) Assess readiness to meet communication needs in preparation for an epidemic or pandemic, including regular review, testing, and updating of communications plans that link with the public health authorities and other key stakeholders.
4) Liaise with the ICT Division to test the linkages between the University’s Disaster Control Centre and the National Disaster Call Centre.
5) Disseminate information about the University’s epidemic or pandemic preparedness and response plan.
This should include the potential impact of an epidemic or pandemic on residence closure, and contingency plans for students who depend on the residential system, and housekeeping services, and the PSD.
DISASTER CONDITIONS:
1) Obtain the facts from the Campus Health Services and, where applicable, the Dean of Students (w.r.t. students) or HRM or the manager/HOD (w.r.t. employees).
2) Locate up-to-date and reliable epidemic and pandemic information.
3) Prepare core messages, a fact sheet, news release and briefing document where necessary.
4) Dispatch communication to internal stakeholders, the media and external stakeholders through the website if necessary.
PROCEDURE
This procedure is to be followed in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease caused by any natural or manmade agent to safeguard the safety and security of all employees and students. The CRT has the principal’s authority to act for the University in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease like a flu pandemic or any other infectious agent. It should direct the University’s response until relieved by a more appropriate authority or person, or until such time as the alert state is closed.
The main function of the CRT is to assemble as soon as an alert is received to discuss the situation, gather information and provide advice to the University. The CRT will also be responsible for disseminating information and co-ordinating activities and interacting with the emergency services and relevant officials or units from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health.
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN
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