The most important constituents of Ozarks Technical Community College and its campuses are its students and employees. Our faculty and staff must be kept informed of the crisis and our response to maintain order and facilitate a quick recovery. It is important to remember that the words and actions of employees toward external audiences will have a lasting impact on the college’s reputation.

Therefore, after emergency officials are notified of a crisis, faculty, staff and students may be the next target audience. Other key audiences that should be kept apprised of OTC’s crisis response:

  • Parents and family members of affected students or employees
  • Designated Ozarks Technical Community College crisis management team
  • Board leadership
  • Political leadership (Governor’s Office, key legislators, CPE, community leaders)
  • News media

It is important that members of the Crisis Management Team can communicate with each other in a timely manner.  A wallet-sized card that includes work, home and cell phone numbers of key personnel should be maintained.  Two-way radios should be made available where possible. Crisis communication must consider applicable statutes and fundamental issues of fairness.

Methods of Communication

Different crises warrant different methods of communications with key constituencies.  Options include:

  • One-on-one or small -group meetings with employees and students when possible
  • Large assemblies of employees and students
  • Emergency Short Messaging System (e2campus) This method of communication is voluntary and requires all receivers to opt-in and is best effort delivery.
  • Use of email groups
  • POP-ups on computers (when implemented)
  • Use of voice mail messages
  • Regular communication vehicles, such as newsletters
  • Phone calls or visits to important external constituents, such as board members and political leadership
  • Information posted on the web
  • A telephone line established to provide assistance
  • Counseling of employees and students
  • OTC Telephone Alert System over all campus land line telephones

Communication Alerts

The methods of communication also include the following communication alerts which are designed to give the College community a quick notice as to the status of an incident.

Code Yellow audio alert with email follow-up

  • Threat Level:  Informative Conditions could be favorable for severe weather or other potential danger.
  • Example:  Tornado watch

Code Orange audio alert with specific instructions

  • Threat Level:  Possible Danger Emergency response system activated with specific instructions to follow the code yellow alert.
  • Examples:  Tornado warning, gas leak, power outages, chemical spill

Code Red audio alert only

  • Threat Level:  Imminent Danger Emergency response system activated which means doors to be immediately locked with specific instructions to follow the code red alert.
  • Example:  Active shooter on campus

Fire Alarm

Threat Level:  Immediate Danger Fire alarms are activated and everyone should immediately evacuate the building.

Release of Information to the Public and News Media

The Director of Communications & Public Relations is responsible for all news releases both internally and to external agencies.  Final approval for any release of information rests with the College President or their designee.