UC ANR Emergency Response Team assists with urgent issues

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, key members of UC ANR leadership quickly formed an Emergency Response Team to address the urgent need for frequent discussion and planning in response to the pandemic. Members attended daily meetings for most of the first year of the outbreak, as well as other frequent meetings to share protocols and updates throughout the organization.

Obviously, there was no shortage of discussion topics and urgent needs to address, all within an ever-changing landscape of public health knowledge and guidance about the disease. Despite the challenges everyone was experiencing and the inevitable Zoom burnout, the ERT effectively worked through the emergency response in a strategic and comprehensive way. 

Brian Oatman, director of risk and safety services, played an essential role in making the team's work successful and was recognized in the 2021 Star Awards program. 

“The ERT essentially serves as a virtual Emergency Operations Center, helping us to quickly plan and implement response actions as needed,” said Oatman.

More than two years later, the ERT continues to meet monthly and on an ad-hoc basis to address ongoing COVID-19 concerns. 

“The ERT has been critical in our response to the pandemic,” said Tu Tran, associate vice president of business operations. “Each member brings a valuable perspective that helps us establish and communicate effective guidance.” 

With the knowledge and collaboration gained during the pandemic, the ERT is well-positioned to respond to other emergencies such as natural disasters and potential workplace violence. 

Members include:

• Vice President Glenda Humiston
• Associate Vice President Wendy Powers (Deanne Meyer will join in August)
• Associate Vice President Tu Tran
• Chief of Staff Kathy Eftekhari
• Interim Human Resources Executive Director Bethanie Brown
• Chief Information Officer Sree Mada
• Director of Risk and Safety Services Brian Oatman
• County Cooperative Extension Director David Bunn
• Strategic Communications Director Linda Forbes

For more information about the ERT or to share issues related to its purpose, please contact Brian Oatman.

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