KEI developed a comprehensive response plan for dealing with emergency situations. The plan outlines protocols for program cancellation and student evacuation during periods of heightened risk, including onset of war, natural disasters and health epidemics. The Emergency Response Plan was developed by our Health and Safety Committee using resources and advice from NAFSA, SAFETI, CDC, WHO, U.S. Department of State, Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), local police and health organizations and our host institutions.
KEI continually monitors health and safety warnings from the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control.
In addition, our on-site staff monitor developments at the host location and alert the Health and Safety Committee in the event of heightened health and safety concerns.
KEI protocols for program cancellation and student evacuation closely adhere to standards used by the study abroad industry.
In most cases, KEI will suspend a program and give students the option to evacuate if the U.S. Department of State issues a Travel Warning for the program location.
For example, in spring 2003 KEI cancelled its programs in Beijing and evacuated students after a health-related Travel Warning about SARS was issued for this city.
Our initial response time was 4 hours (note that the time difference between NYC and Beijing is 12 hours), and the entire process, from the day the Travel Warning was issued to the day students returned to the USA, took 4 days.
KEI Health & Safety Committee
Eduard Mandell � Managing Director
Julie Pollard � Program Manager
Patrick Mulindi � On-Site Coordinator, Kenya
Elena Spirina � Former On-Site Director, Russia
Joseph Pepe - Health & Safety Counsel
Emergency Response Plan
Below is an outline of our Emergency Response Plan.
The KEI Health and Safety Committee informs the New York City and on-site KEI Staff of the Travel Warning.
The on-site staff immediately contact all students to ensure that they are accounted for and safe. On-site staff endeavor to gather students together, give them a copy of the travel warning, discuss the warning, and urge students to call home.
The on-site staff gather information on the target of unrest, possible danger to U.S. citizens, impact, and intensity of the emergency. This information is relayed to the Health and Safety Committee.
Sources of information include reports from local authorities, news, the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and possibly other study abroad provider representatives in the country.
The Health and Safety Committee determines the best course of action after consulting with the on-site staff, host institution, U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy.
The Health and Safety Committee is also responsible for overseeing daily communication between the on-site staff, local authorities, U.S. Embassy, participants and emergency contacts.
KEI informs all participants, emergency contacts (usually parents) and home institutions via email (and forwards a copy of the travel warning) and/or telephone on the course of action.
The KEI New York staff and the on-site staff work together to implement protocols decided on by the Health and Safety Committee.
Protocols include obtaining safe passage out of the country and finding safe shelter and food (if necessary) until evacuation is possible.
Things to Consider
Students should designate their parents or legal guardians as emergency contacts so that information regarding emergencies is automatically distributed to parents/legal guardians.
Emergency contact information is requested at the time of application to the program.
It is equally important for students to provide accurate and current contact information for themselves and their parents.
To update any of your contact information provided to KEI, please call our NYC office and speak with your Program Manager.
