I

nstitutions of 

higher learning and 

their surrounding 

communities depend on 

each other to prepare for 

disasters and reduce potential 

losses of life and property. Universities 

and colleges can provide the expertise, 

technical resources, and research support that 

communities need to improve their resistance 

to hazards. At the same time, communities 

that reduce their vulnerability to hazards and 

develop strong emergency management plans 

offer a safer and more secure environment for 

local colleges and universities.

Recognizing this mutually beneficial 

opportunity for collaboration, many 

communities have built risk reduction 

partnerships with colleges and universities, 

combining and leveraging their resources to 

improve risk management more effectively 

than they could individually.

Benefits of Partnership

Hazard mitigation partnerships between communities and institutions of 

higher education generate knowledge, solve problems, and aid in planning. 

Examples of collaboration through partnerships include:

■ Developing hazard mitigation plans.

■ Sharing expertise and access to specialized tools, such as geographic 

information systems (GIS).

■ Conducting watershed management studies.

■ Conducting risk assessments of exposures and vulnerabilities.

■ Providing architectural and engineering assistance.

■ Conducting attitudinal community surveys.

■ Developing emergency management course curricula.

■ Facilitating student-led retrofit and mitigation projects (e.g., safe rooms).

■ Hosting university mitigation symposiums, business preparedness 

meetings, and professional retrofit seminars.

■ Conducting marketing activities, cooperative extension activities, 

and awareness seminars.

■ Developing and assisting in grant applications and planning processes.

What Colleges and Universities Can Offer

Colleges and universities can help communities strengthen their resistance 

and preparedness in three basic ways:

Education/Instruction

■ Provide educational workshops and training for community leaders.

■ Incorporate risk management topics into course curricula.

■ Initiate student community service learning projects.

■ Help communities in their public education and outreach efforts.

Research

■ Gather information and conduct analyses to help communities 

make better hazard risk reduction decisions.

Service

■ Apply expert knowledge to solve community problems.

■ Offer GIS labs, meeting rooms, conference facilities, and other 

resources to support the community’s emergency management 

program.

■ Provide technical staff to facilitate meetings and coordinate projects.

■ Work with the local business community to address their vulnerability 

to local hazard risks.

What Communities Offer

To help colleges and universities mitigate risk, communities 

can offer the following:

Assistance from Local Government Agencies

■ Hazard mitigation planners, public safety units, and local planning 

divisions can offer data and technical assistance such as mapping.

■ Planning departments maintain demographic, economic, and 

physical data, and planners can offer meeting facilitation, research 

skills, and extensive contacts.

■ Staff and other individuals connected to local schools, park districts, 

regional government associations, flood control districts, fire 

suppression programs, and vegetation management districts can 

provide hazard information, technical support, and post-disaster 

impact data. 

Access to Non-Governmental Resources

■ Nonprofit and voluntary organizations, such as the American Red 

Cross and United Way, offer emergency preparedness materials that 

colleges and universities can use to help prepare faculty, staff, and 

students for possible disasters.

■ Local businesses may provide technical assistance, staff support, and 

even financial support to the disaster planning effort.

■ Community leaders and members can serve as guest instructors or 

speakers.

■ Local governments and businesses can provide mentoring, 

internships, and fellowships to college or university students, staff, 

and faculty.

Input from Infrastructure Providers

■ Utilities and repair services have critical information about the 

security of utility connections and service on a campus, and thus 

should be involved in college and university planning efforts.

■ Community transportation specialists can provide important 

information and resources, particularly for evacuation plans.
Building Partnerships

Partnerships Initiated 

by the Community

Community leaders can initiate

partnerships with colleges and universities 

by developing relationships with the 

president or chancellor, offices within 

the institution, and interested faculty and 

staff. Local emergency managers can identify appropriate faculty and 

staff through informal networks, contacting academic departments 

that may be interested in community risk reduction projects, and 

contacting centers and institutes that help with risk reduction 

activities. Typically, the president or chancellor will be responsible 

for entering into a partnership on behalf of the institution. However, 

a specific division of a college or university will often act as the 

driving force for successful partnering with communities. 

Partnerships Initiated by Educational Institutions

A college or university can take the first step toward partnership 

by forming an advisory committee to identify individuals within 

the institution who will make decisions about the emergency plan 

and individuals in the community who can serve as resources. 

Professionals on campus who are already involved in emergency 

preparedness, crisis response, or risk management should be 

involved in the committee. Community stakeholders, such as officials 

from local government and key businesses, should also be involved. 

The committee must be able to build strong relationships to facilitate 

compromise and engender commitments to implement the disaster 

mitigation plan.

Building Partnerships

to Reduce Hazard Risks

Tips for Community Officials,

Colleges and Universities

L-265 / March 2005

Resources

US Environmental Protection Agency

Local Emergency Planning Committee Database

www.epa.gov/ceppo/lepclist.htm

Campus Firewatch

www.campus-firewatch.com

Campus Safety Health and Environmental Management Association

www.cshema.org

FEMA How-To Guide: Building a Disaster Resistant University

www.fema.gov/fima/dru.shtm

National Association of College and University Business Officers

www.nacubo.org

National Center for Education Statistics

nces.ed.gov/globallocator

Society for College and University Planning

www.scup.org

University Risk Management & Insurance Association

www.urmia.org

Public Entity Risk Institute

www.riskinstitute.org

Courtesy of United States Department of Agriculture.