Emergency Response Team

Due to the diversity and advanced research and education activities at the University of Idaho, the EPA classifies the university as a large quantity generator of hazardous waste. In accordance with state and federal regulations, the University of  Idaho maintains an Emergency Response Team (UIERT) through the office of Environmental Health and Safety. The team is trained and equipped to handle most hazmat incidents that may occur on campus. The UIERT also has an agreement with the City of Moscow to respond to other incidents in the city as requested.

The UIERT is comprised of members of the Environmental Health and Safety and they cover all types of hazardous materials. All team members are trained to hazardous materials technician and operations levels. All team members are FEMA ICS trained (level 100 - 800) and maintain their certifications through annual refreshers and close collaboration with the State of Idaho Fire Marshal's office.

Activation and dispatch of the UIERT is done by contacting U of I security, the university safety officer in Environmental Health and Safety, or the Incident Commander acting for the City of Moscow via 911. The dispatcher will need to know what type of hazardous material is involved (e.g., chemical, radioactive or biohazardous material), if the information is available. If the material cannot be identified, call-out procedures for a chemical spill will be used.

Upon receiving notification of a hazardous material incident, WhitCom and U of I security follow specific call out procedures:

• Call-out during business hours: Activation of the team during normal working day (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the school year; and 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the summer) involves calling the Environmental Health and Safety Office at 208-885-6524.
• Call-out during non-business hours (after-hours, weekends and holidays): Follow call-out procedures for incidents occurring during the weekends, holidays, or after-hours (use the call-out list appropriate for the incident).
• Three levels of response are recognized and will determine the specific call-out procedure:
  • Level 3 (Minor Emergency) Response – dispatch calls down the list of UIERT members, attempting to contact four (4) team members that are able to respond to the incident, and then informs the Incident Commander of the number of responders contacted and confirmed as responding.
  • Level 2 (Major Emergency) and Level 1 (Disaster) Response – For a response to an incident more serious than Level 3, dispatch will contact as many team members as possible; relay the number of confirmed responding team members to the Incident Commander and wait for further instruction.
• Individual Call-Out Lists

Individual call out lists are held by appropriate emergency responders, including Environmental Health and Safety, Campus Security and Emergency Management and Security Services, as well as WhitCom.

For more information

Mark Borth
Hazardous Materials Specialist
208-885-6279
borth@uidaho.edu

Samir Shahat, Ph.D.
Executive Director; RSO;
University Safety Officer
208-885-7208
samir@uidaho.edu