At Cal Poly, we are committed to developing the readiness and safety of our communities in the face of disasters. We work towards a campus where every community member is empowered to act, every system is prepared to function, and the university remains safe and operational under any condition. A resilient campus is not the result of any single plan or department - it involves processes spanning deliberate coordination, shared responsibility, and promoting a culture of readiness.

The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) leads the university’s efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of natural and human-caused hazards. From wildfires and earthquakes to public health threats and infrastructure disruptions, DEM serves as Cal Poly’s central coordination hub for planning and response.

Emergency Management as a profession focuses on reducing risk, enhancing readiness, and supporting a swift and effective recovery. By planning ahead and working together, we protect lives, minimize disruption, and ensure that Cal Poly remains a safe, informed, and thriving environment for all.

What We Do

• Plan and Prepare: We create and maintain disaster response plans, conduct training, and organize exercises to ensure everyone knows how to stay safe during a disaster.
• Coordinate Response: During a disaster, our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) serves as the hub for decision-making and coordination, ensuring that critical needs are met efficiently.
• Support Recovery: After the immediate danger has passed, we focus on restoring campus operations and supporting the community in returning to normal.
• Share Information: Through Poly Alert, our mass notification system, we provide timely updates about disaster situations and safety measures.
• Promote Readiness: We advocate for individual readiness and deliver tools and programs like the BERC initiative and Business Continuity Program to ensure that Community Members and Cal Poly departments are equipped to response and adapt.
• Collaborate Regionally: DEM maintains strong partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure that our planning and operations are aligned with relevant emergency frameworks.

Read more about DEM