Emergency Action Plan

    OVERVIEW

    Interstudy has extensive experience assessing and managing crisis situations. During the past three decades, Interstudy has successfully resolved a variety of situations that had the potential to adversely affect the health or well being of our students. While we cannot foresee every type of emergency, this Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is an effective and logical base from which to address emergency scenarios. All Interstudy staff members follow the approach outlined below in the event of an emergency. Regular communication between students and Interstudy program staff is a crucial part of this approach.

    EAP Objectives:
        •    Protect the health and well-being of Interstudy students
        •    Reduce the emotional impact and/or stress experienced by Interstudy students
        •    Reduce any adverse academic impacts upon Interstudy students
        •    Keep emergency contacts and advisors informed
        •    Assist others impacted by the emergency

    Situations requiring the use of the EAP:
        •    War, terrorist acts, or social unrest
        •    Global health pandemic
        •    Natural disaster
        •    Student accident or health related emergency
        •    Missing student
        •    Serious crime committed against a student
        •    Sexual assault
        •    Criminal arrest of a student
        •    Death or serious illness within a student’s family
        •    Any unforeseen crisis

    SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

    Step 1: REPORTING AN EMERGENCY
    Interstudy’s emergency contact details and procedures are given to students as part of the Interstudy pre-departure orientation materials and are discussed during on-site orientation. Family or friends of Interstudy students are also encouraged to contact Interstudy in the event of an emergency.

    Students are given Interstudy’s emergency phone numbers. An Interstudy staff person is on call 24 hours a day in each country where we operate, including the United States. Should an emergency arise while students are abroad, students are instructed to contact their respective on-site Interstudy program staff. When calling to report an emergency, leave a detailed message and an Interstudy staff person will respond immediately. Contact details for the main Interstudy program offices are:

    North America:
    +781.391.0991 (M-F 9:00-5:00 EST) or +781.929.5254 (outside office hours)
    Britain and Ireland:
    +353.86.820.6142
    South Africa and Botswana:
    +27.82.352.9357 or +27.82.755.5503

    Step 2: COMMUNICATION
    The Interstudy staff member fielding the emergency call will gather all information critical to the situation and will follow the steps in the EAP as appropriate:
        •    Collect and identify pertinent emergency information.

        •    Relay information: When an emergency occurs, an Interstudy staff member will notify the affected students’ emergency contact(s) and also notify the home institution study abroad adviser. If the emergency occurs after standard business hours, Interstudy will follow the emergency procedures of the students’ home institution.

    Note: Students list their emergency contacts during the application process. Students are not required to list the names of specific individuals such as mother and/or father. If students wish to have a parent listed as an emergency contact, they may do so at the point of application or they may update their information at any time by contacting an Interstudy representative.

        •    Assess the situation: Once the details of the emergency are known and verified, Interstudy will determine the level and extent of the emergency and then respond promptly and decisively.

    Step 3: ACTION PLAN
        •    Formulate Action Plan: The Interstudy staff will devise an action plan that promptly responds to the students’ physical and emotional needs. Once the action plan has been decided, it will be relayed to the students, Interstudy staff members, the home institution and the students’ emergency contacts. In the event of an evacuation, Interstudy will inform all students of the arranged meeting place, the transportation to be used, and other relevant details.

        •    Execute the EAP: As a part of the EAP, on-site program staff will:
        •    Contact the students affected by the emergency in person or by telephone. Follow up may be done via email and text message.
        •    Review the local health and safety options available in order to determine the best course of action.
        •    Assist students in maintaining communication with their emergency contacts and their home institution.
        •    Develop a plan to keep all parties informed and up-to-date throughout the emergency. Once a plan is in place, regular updates will be communicated.


    While Interstudy cannot predict every type of scenario that might affect students abroad, we can ensure that communication remains open between the organization, the home institution and the students. The EAP is a tool for assessing and handling all types of emergencies and may be modified as individual situations arise.

    GENERAL EMERGENCY GUIDELINES

    Direct and immediate communication with students is not always possible in the event of an emergency. In any emergency, students should follow these guidelines:
        •    Contact local emergency services and then local Interstudy staff.
        •    Follow instructions given by university authorities and governmental authorities. University or governmental authorities may use any of the following modes of communication: radio or television announcements, emails, phone calls, text messages or person-to-person communication.
        •    Keep a mobile phone available and check email messages if possible.
        •    When no immediate danger is apparent, return to student housing and await further instructions.