Resilience in higher education institutions: an updated guide

Since this guide was first published the University sector has continued togrow, to become more complex, more resilient and more vulnerable.In the foreword to the first edition I commented upon how City UniversityLondon, where I was Deputy Vice-Chancellor, had survived a major firebecause of the extraordinary efforts of our staff, by some effective planningand by luck. I am now Vice-Chancellor at Kingston University. Were we tohave a similar event now we would also survive, as would the otherUniversities across the country. Survival would again depend upon theextraordinary efforts of staff and upon effective planning. Luck would play apart, but it would be less than in the past.The diminished role of luck and its partial replacement by planning is atestament to the vision behind this guide. The importance of planning, ofconsidering the possible vulnerabilities and mitigating them is now far betterembedded in our institutions. The training that was developed alongside thisguide has spread understanding of the approaches that can be taken tomitigate the impact of a fire, flood, or other event.Universities become more vulnerable as they become more diverse, complex,porous and engaged with multiple constituencies. They become more resilientas they embed learning about risk management and planning for emergenciesinto their routines.When the unexpected happens it will be unique, for HEI are all unique.However the Guide will help reduce their dependence on luck. Whatever happens a successful outcome will depend upon the extraordinary efforts ofpeople on the ground. The guide will help maximise the benefit from thatextraordinary effort.The guide is not a recipe for fulfilment of a management objective byproducing an emergency response strategy, that will probably sit (another firehazard) on a shelf. The guide provides information, advice and resources tohelp those with responsibilities in developing an emergency response, whichshould involve the wider institution. It should be used as part of a deliberateprogramme to shift away from luck to dependence on skilled people with theknowledge of how to develop a robust complex response that may save lives,avoid injury, protect buildings and reputations and enable the institution tocarrying on its business. Emergency planning is a concern of everyone,especially senior management teams. The guide supports that widerengagement.This guide has been strongly influenced by those with an estates, emergencyresponse and security point of view; I found it a privilege to chair the groupand get to know these unsung members of the University Community whothink deeply about their responsibilities and the challenges of maintaining thecore functions of the institution in the face of potential disaster. My admirationis in no way diminished several years and an institution later. Their efforts arewell worth reading.I would not wish a fire, flood or other disaster on any reader. However weknow from letters and comments received that the guide has been helpful.Institutions that have used it and then had an untoward event found thepreparation paid off. Use of this guide should mean that you are betterprepared, if an event befall your institution.Finally, the guide will continue to be maintained as long as we hear that it hasvalue to the community.