Hazard Mitigation

These are activities that reduce the severity of incident impacts.  Our goal is to focus on the primary hazards that are most likely to impact UMBC as determined by risk assessments.

Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA)

Our HVRA identifies the most likely sources of harm to the UMBC community.  Each hazard receives an overall risk score in our assessment.  Risk combines the likelihood of a hazard and its potential impact.

 Our primary hazards are the main focus of our preparedness efforts:

  • Primary Overall Hazard:  Utility or Infrastructure Outage has the highest overall R score.
  • Primary Natural Hazard:  Severe Storm (tornadoes, high winds, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tropical storms).
  • Primary Accidental Hazard:  Utility or Infrastructure Outage (water, power, heating or cooling systems, elevators, or fire alarm and sprinkler system outages).
  • Primary Intentional Hazard:  Crime Against Property (theft or intentional damage caused to property owned by an individual or owned by the University).
  • HVRA OverviewAugust 2023

Emergency Action Procedures describe response to specific threats or hazards.  These are the immediate actions taken during an incident or disruption to mitigate impacts on safety, security, or operations.

Note:  These EAPs are for emergencies other than an active assailant.  See our active assailant awareness resources for information on this type of emergency.

  • Campus Closure and Cancellation of Classes – December 2024
  • Severe Weather – August 2024
  • Building EvacuationApril 2024
  • Shelter-In-Place – Coming Soon
  • Utility or Infrastructure Outage – Coming Soon
  • Physical Security Breaches and Property Crimes – Coming Soon
  • Medical Emergencies – Coming Soon

Emergency Action Plans are longer and more detailed.  They document critical knowledge and provide situational awareness over time.  UMBC will maintain an Emergency Action Plan for each of the primary natural, accidental, and intentional hazards determined by the Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA).

  • Primary Natural Hazard Plan:  Severe Storms – Coming Soon
  • Primary Accidental Hazard Plan:  Utility or Infrastructure Outage – Coming Soon
  • Primary Intentional Hazard Plan:  Crime Against Property – Coming Soon