Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) recently earned an award from the Ventura County Emergency Planning Council for its Gas Pipeline Emergency Plan. Voted the “Best Emergency Plan for the County,” the CI plan is the first of its kind in Ventura County and the California State University system to comprehensively address institutional readiness and response to a gas pipeline disaster. It was created in the wake of the 2010 San Bruno gas pipeline explosion, which killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes, and at the request of the CSU Chancellor, who has called for all CSU campuses to prepare gas pipeline emergency plans.

CI Police Chief John Reid accepted the award last month at the 2012 Emergency Planning Council Awards Ceremony, held at the Derby Club in Ventura.

“It is very satisfying to be recognized by Ventura County's Emergency Planning Council, as it signals CI's commitment to Emergency Preparedness,” said Chief Reid. “Public safety is my highest priority, and after having seen the results of the catastrophic explosion in San Bruno, I knew it was important to examine whether such an incident was possible here.”

CI’s 38-page report is the result of months of research and collaboration with area first responders, utility agencies and university personnel. The plan details specific actions for the campus community and first responders on issues ranging from preparation and mitigation, to notification and evacuation, to response and recovery. The report was prepared by CI Emergency Services Consultant Maggie Tougas, who has assisted in disaster and emergency planning for groups including the United Way Ventura County, the City of Port Hueneme, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

The Gas Pipeline Emergency Plan will be published as part of the University's comprehensive all-hazard Emergency Operations Plan and introduced to all new employees during their orientation program. CI’s Police Department plans to run its first gas pipeline disaster test drill later this year, with help from the Ventura County Fire Department and The Gas Company.

For more information on the CI Police Department, visit http://www.csuci.edu/police/. To learn more about Ventura County’s Emergency Planning Council, visit http://readyventuracounty.org/.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is celebrating 10 years of education, innovation, growth and community enrichment during the 2012/2013 academic year. We salute our faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters, and partners who continue the CI mission of a student-centered education emphasizing international and multicultural perspectives with interdisciplinary and experiential service-oriented learning.

Together, we are solving the problems of today, preparing the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, and contributing to the vitality of higher education.

CSU Channel Islands – A Decade of Distinction