Emergency Event Planning for SOM Researchers

Biosafety Hurricane Prep

This guide discusses procedures to protect the Tulane community and environment by minimizing risks associated with biohazardous materials during emergency events. It includes preparation steps, shutdown protocols, and post-storm safety measures to ensure regulatory compliance and laboratory safety.

CTU Emergency Preparedness

This presentation outlines emergency preparedness procedures for clinical research teams at Tulane's School of Medicine. It provides step-by-step guidance on how to protect data, specimens, and participant information before and during a weather emergency. Contact details for the Clinical Translational Unit (CTU) and leadership are included for additional support.

Comparative Medicine Emergency Plan

This document from Tulane’s Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) provides emergency preparedness guidance for laboratories and hazardous material storage areas. It emphasizes the importance of pre-planning, minimizing hazardous materials, securing equipment, preparing for power loss, and maintaining up-to-date contact information. It also includes a hurricane preparation checklist and hazard registration process to support lab safety and protect research assets during emergencies.

Freezer Farm Policy 

Outlines the policies and procedures for the Tulane School of Medicine Freezer Farm, a dedicated -80ºC freezer storage facility designed for long-term preservation of irreplaceable research samples. It details storage guidelines, emergency power and CO₂ backup systems, maintenance responsibilities, emergency contact requirements, and use of the SmartVue monitoring system. The policy emphasizes departmental accountability for proper storage, access, maintenance, and emergency response to ensure sample security and integrity.

Lab Archives

This document serves as an introduction and user guide to LabArchives, a cloud-based electronic lab notebook (ELN) platform supported at Tulane University. It provides an overview of the tool’s features, including secure data storage, collaboration capabilities, compliance with research standards (e.g., HIPAA, FDA 21 CFR Part 11), and flexible notebook organization. The document explains how LabArchives integrates into Tulane’s research environment, outlines user roles and privileges, and offers practical tips for setup, transitioning from paper notebooks, and maintaining best practices in data management. It also includes links to further resources and support contacts from Tulane University Libraries.

OEHS Laboratory Emergency & Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

This document guides Tulane labs and hazardous material managers on how to prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms. It outlines daily safety practices, a pre-storm checklist to secure materials and equipment, and a form to register hazardous locations with emergency contacts and inventory details.

Office of Research Emergency Preparedness

This document outlines Tulane University Office of Research’s emergency preparedness plans, emphasizing remote work capabilities and continuous regulatory compliance during emergencies. It encourages researchers to use cloud-based tools like Box and LabArchives for secure, off-site access to data and electronic lab notebooks. Contact information for research compliance officers and library support is provided for assistance and training.

SOM Emergency Planning Summary for Researchers

This document provides comprehensive guidance for the Tulane School of Medicine community on hurricane emergency preparedness. It covers roles and contacts for key personnel, detailed plans for securing research materials (including freezer farms and hazardous materials), timelines for action as storms approach, and personal preparedness tips. It also explains emergency communication protocols, lab safety procedures, backup power logistics, and post-storm recovery steps to protect people, research, and resources during tropical weather events.

SOM Hurricane Timeline & Readiness for Researchers & Labs

This document outlines the Tulane School of Medicine’s step-by-step hurricane preparedness plan for research labs. It includes ongoing actions like maintaining inventories and backup supplies, specific tasks as storms approach, protocols for securing equipment and data before evacuation, and safety procedures for re-entering labs after the storm. The plan ensures protection of valuable samples, equipment, and personnel during severe weather events.

TU HRPO Emergency Preparedness

This document provides guidance from Tulane’s Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) to help investigators prepare for and manage research during emergency events. It covers steps to protect study continuity, maintain communication with participants, handle investigational drugs and devices, and report modifications to research protocols. It also outlines emergency contact procedures before, during, and after disasters to ensure compliance and participant safety.

Vivarium Consideration during an Emergency 

Comparative Medicine Emergency Plan covers responses to hurricanes, natural disasters, animal rights demonstrations, break-ins/animal releases, bomb threats, and pandemics.