Critical Personnel
In the event of a delay or closure of the University, due to severe weather or an emergency situation, critical personnel will be required to work on campus to ensure the safety and continued operations of the University. If your Director has designated you as “Critical,” this means that your position is vital to the response to or recovery from a disaster or emergency.
This page will provide you with the specific information needed to support your important role. For any questions regarding the designation of personnel in emergency policy or emergency management training opportunities, please email EOC@ucf.edu or call 407-882-7111.
Designation of Personnel in Emergency Policy
Critical Personnel
Personnel whose job duties affect the security, safety, or physical operation of the university, and who may be required to work in conjunction with the Emergency Operations Center when normal campus operations have been suspended, the campus is under a state of emergency, and access to campus is being controlled by law enforcement. Critical Personnel may have access to the incident scene upon request from Incident Command Staff. Critical Personnel include:
- Emergency Coordinating Officers (ECOs)
- Emergency Support Function Personnel (ESFs)
- Executive Policy Group (EPG)
- Emerging Issues and Crisis Response Team (EICRT)
- Public Information Officers (PIOs)
- UCF Department of Public Safety Personnel
Other department personnel not specifically designated above that may be needed to assist with maintaining critical university functions during emergency situations will need to apply for such credentialing annually.
Critical Personnel will be credentialed through Emergency Management’s credentialing program. Department personnel needed to assist in emergency situations will need to complete and submit an application for credentials to Emergency Management by April 1st of each year. In the event an employee is hired or designated critical after April 1st, an application must be submitted within 30 days of employment or change of status. Emergency Management will submit the approved applications to UCF Human Resources. Once approved, UCF Card Services will issue their Critical Personnel credential. Credentials will be valid from June 1st through May 31st the following year.
Department Critical Personnel
Personnel who are identified by their department director, dean, or chair to support emergency situations when normal operations have been suspended and access to campus has been restricted will be given a Department Critical Personnel Badge. Departments must apply for a specific number of Department Critical Personnel Badges by April 1st of each year. Emergency Management will provide approved departments with their Department Critical Personnel Badges. At the time of Emergency Operations Center Activation, departments must supply an accountability form to the Emergency Operations Center with the name, mobile phone number, campus location, and badge number of personnel who have been given a Department Critical Personnel Badge.
Forms
- Critical Personnel Designation Application
- Department Critical Personnel Designation Application
- Department Critical Personnel Accountability Form
- Request Form for Contracted Employees Credentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Critical Personnel
What does it mean to be designated as “Critical Personnel?”
Critical Personnel job duties affect the security, safety, or physical operation of the University. In the event of a critical incident on campus, you are required to work in the Emergency Operations Center to support the university when normal operations have been interrupted. Since emergencies are sometimes unforeseen, you may be required to work during closures, nights, or weekends depending on the severity of the situation. Consequences for failing to or refusing to report to work when required will be handled on a case-by-case basis by your supervisor and may result in disciplinary action up to, and including, termination.
Who are Critical Personnel?
Critical Personnel will be identified by the UCF Department of Emergency Management. They include: Emergency Coordinating Officers Emergency Support Function Personnel Executive Policy Committee Public Information Officers
Who decides if I am designated as “Critical Personnel”?
Critical Personnel will be designated through the Department of Emergency Management’s credentialing program. All Critical employees must fill out an Critical Personnel Designation Application by April 1st of each year. In the event an employee is hired or designated critical after April 1st, an application must be submitted within 30 days of employment or change of status. Emergency Management will submit the approved applications to UCF Human Resources. Once approved, UCF Card Services will issue their Critical Personnel credential. Credentials will be valid from June 1st through May 31st the following year.
What if I am a contracted employee? Do I have to submit an application?
Yes, University contractors and vendors should not be on campus when normal campus operations have been suspended, the campus is under a state of emergency, and access to campus is being controlled by law enforcement. If a contractor or vendor must be on campus during this time, the dean or department director with whom the contractor or vendor is employed must submit a request to the UCF Emergency Operations Center and credentials for the contractor or vendor must be obtained.
Will I receive a special ID that will designate me as Critical personnel?
Once the Critical Personnel Designation Application has been completed and processed, you will at that point pick up your ID from UCF Card Services. All employees responding to the campus during emergencies must provide the appropriate credentials to gain access to the campus when roadways are closed. It is important to note, you are required to wear your ID at all times while on UCF’s property. For further information, please call UCF Card Services at: 407-823-2100
Are there shelters available on campus if I am required to work during a severe weather event?
Campus ride-out locations will be available to critical personnel and their immediate family only. Pets are not allowed in on campus when ride-out locations are activated; therefore, owners are encouraged to make prior arrangements to ensure the safety of your pets during an emergency.
Is there a chance that non-essential employees may be called in?
UCF, through formal planning mechanisms, has developed a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan to support UCF during disasters and emergencies. Critical personnel have been designated in support of this plan; however, there may be unforeseen circumstances that require support from additional personnel. Please review this situation with your director or immediate supervisor
How do I receive the latest University updates?
UCF will provide the most up-to-date information at ucf.edu, on social media, and through UCF Alert.
What happens if I am unable to report to work?
Consequences for failing to or refusing to report to work when you when you are required to will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the employee’s supervisor and may result in disciplinary action up to, and including, termination.
Do Critical personnel require any training?
Yes, all Critical personnel must complete Incident Command System training courses. Information regarding the training courses can be found in the training tab above.
How will time be documented for A&P and Exempt Personnel required to work during an emergency?
All employees regardless of pay status (Exempt or Non-Exempt), who are scheduled to work during the times the university is officially closed are required to document their time on the appropriate paper form available (Timesheet, LAPER, or FEMA tracking form).
If Critical personnel leave during normal working hours to prep their houses, families, etc., will they receive compensation/time off?
Administrative Leave time may only be provided to employees during times the university is officially closed and the employee is scheduled to work. If the university is officially closed during the hours the employee leaves to prepare, the employee will receive Administrative Leave. If the employee leaves during normal work hours, they must use their Annual Leave.