Nebraska Extension and UNL’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Planning encourage county Extension offices and Extension units to have plans in place for disasters and emergencies. The goal of an emergency action plan (EAP) is to outline procedures and information that could be used by staff in the event of an emergency. Information includes office location description, shelter-in-place/evacuation procedures, and staff contact information, among other important information. Some units have offices in more than one location. Each office will need an EAP.
After EAPs are reviewed and approved, they are made available to Nebraska Extension administration, Engagement Zone Coordinators, and UNL Emergency Management. They are not shared with the general public.
Submission Windows
To account for more plans being submitted and time to give them a quality review, the following submission windows are by Engagement Zones and units:
- February 1 – March 31: Zones 1, 4, 8, and 10
- May 1 – June 30: Zones 7, 9, and 11 and Raising Nebraska
- September 1 – October 31: Zones 2, 3, and 5
If you are in an area that has been impacted by a recent disaster event, please reach out to Soni Cochran, scochran2@unl.edu and we will note your EAP may be submitted after the submission window.
Process
About 1-2 weeks prior to the zone/unit’s plan submission window, an email will be sent to those offices/units and the respective EZ Coordinators. This email will include the EAP template and a link to the online submission form for uploading the EAP. This submission link remains the same and can be used at any time throughout the year. Watch for announcements during the zone/units submission window for opportunities to attend a virtual EAP training and office hours to help answer any questions.
The EAP should be reviewed every year. Please retain the red font when adding information to the EAP. This helps speed up the review process.
If your current office/unit EAP does not list "Engagement Zone Coordinator," and/or uses "District Director" anywhere in the document, use the updated 2024 EAP template in the resources below.
Remember, EAPs are living documents. While offices/units are asked to review and submit them on an annual basis for our organizational records, EAPs should be updated continually as the need arises (i.e. someone retires/resigns, someone new joins the office, change of office location, etc.). Use the submission link to upload the EAP, floor plan, and any additional documents you want to include with your plan (ie Courthouse Safety Plan, Research & Extension Center Plan).
Resources:
- 2025 Nebraska Extension Emergency Action Plan Template: Available as a PDF | Available as a WORD document
- 2025 Frequently Asked Questions
- 2025 Example Emergency Action Plan
- Submission Link - https://go.unl.edu/countyofficeeap
- EAP Office Hours are offered to Zones during their current EAP Window (watch for an email invitation)
- Emergency Preparedness & Public Safety Webinar with Mark Robertson, previous UNL Campus Emergency Management Director
Staff Review & Practicing the EAP
Everyone in your office should have access to the EAP. Do you know where it is located?
This is an internal resource so please do not post the actual EAP on any website or in a location that is accessible to the general public. Review the plan at staff meetings and any time a new employee or intern joins the office. Practice your plan. If you need to revise the plan or any documents, you can do that at any time throughout the year using the submission link.
Resources for the public: Use your EAP to create a separate resource for the public who may use your facility. This can be a helpful resource in a conference room or meeting room outside of regular office hours when staff may not be available. This reference could include a map with evacuation routes, locations to assemble or shelter-in-place, locations for the first aid kit and AED, and a list of emergency contacts.
Watch for an announcement in Keeping Up: Tabletop exercises and suggestions to help make it easy to practice your plan!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EAP:
EAP stands for Emergency Action Plan. Departments and units on campus are expected to review their EAPs annually, and county Extension offices are highly encouraged take part in this initiative through a collaboration between Nebraska Extension and UNL’s Office of Emergency Management. The goal of an EAP is to outline procedures and information that could be used by staff in the event of an emergency. Information includes office location description, shelter-in-place/evacuation procedures, and staff contact information, among other important information.
Should my office/unit complete an EAP every year?
Yes! All offices are highly encouraged to do it and you’ll find the support you need along the way. Some offices/units have offices in multiple locations. Each office will need an EAP.
Transition your EAP the 2024 Template
The current templates reflect Extension’s Engagement Zone model. If your current EAP is in an older template (prior to 2023) and/or refers to "District Director" anywhere in the EAP, please move to a newer template (available above under "Resources").
When you edit your EAP, retain the red font color. The red text will make it easier for a reviewer or others to read your plan.
Who should take the lead on the EAP in my office?
It is up to you! Information has been shared in Keeping Up and an email will be sent to everyone in the Engagement Zones within the submission window. Discuss update plans at a staff meeting. This is a good opportunity to delegate the responsibility to an individual who enjoys planning and details. Everyone in the office should be invited to provide input and become familiar with the plan.
Don't forget that you can also report these efforts in your Individual Action Plan reporting - This is one of the outcomes in the Nebraska EDEN State Action Plan.
How long will it take to develop or update our office EAP?
The time to complete a plan will vary depending on the office, but it is anticipated that 1-2 hours is sufficient. Putting together the plan’s attachments, like an office drawing or map, may require more time. If you are updating your plan, expect around 30 minutes to one hour.
Will my office be recognized if we complete an EAP?
In addition to the good feeling you’ll get from completing an EAP, your office will be recognized on social media, in news releases, and in impact reports. Counties that complete an EAP will receive an image/graphic to include in newsletters, and on social media platforms.
To whom do I send my office’s completed EAP?
Upload your completed EAP for review using the Qualtrics submission form: https://go.unl.edu/countyofficeeap Use this link any time you have a change in your plan (examples: someone is new to the office, leaves or retires, changes to your facility).
After I send in the EAP, what happens to it?
Your plan will be reviewed and constructive feedback may be provided. Please allow a few weeks for confirmation of your plan. Once the plan is finalized, it is stored in a protected folder on SharePoint and shared with UNL’s Office of Emergency Management and your Engagement Zone Coordinator. Also, once the plan is finalized, it is up to you and your office staff to determine how to access your plan locally and securely (i.e. Teams, print copies, etc.). Please do not post the EAP on a publically-accessible website. EAPs contain personal information.
I still have questions. Who can I reach out to?
For questions about the office emergency action plan, contact Soni Cochran, Disaster Education Coordinator, scochran2@unl.edu.
There will also be office hours scheduled for you to ask questions and review the EAP and submission process. These opportunities will be announced in an email to the zones during their assigned review and submission window.