3.5 Emergency Preparedness and Response

MIT has an Emergency Preparedness and Response Program to respond to EHS emergencies on campus. The Program is integrated into the overall structure and culture of the MIT community. A key component of this program is the Emergency Operations Plan.

The EHS Office provides full-time, around-the-clock emergency response support and service to the MIT community. Emergency EHS services can be obtained by calling the EHS Office at 617-452-3477 (2-EHSS) during business hours or by dialing 617-253-1500 off hours. The EHS emergency response system consists of a primary on-call point person and, as needed, assistance from team members from the Biosafety, Environmental Management, Industrial Hygiene, Radiation Protection, and Safety Programs to address the issues of concern during an emergency. Refer to the MIT EHS Response System SOP.

MIT's EHS Office has developed standard procedures for responding to spills of hazardous materials. The Spill Response Procedures SOP provides guidance on how to differentiate minor spills and major spills, and defines each type of spill to clarify response procedures. Major spills require immediate notification to the MIT Police or the MIT Operations Center, or both, who are then required to contact the EHS Office or the Cambridge Fire Department. The Environmental Management Program in the EHS Office determines whether external reporting is necessary.