Nebraska Extension continues to strengthen its commitment to safety by preparing every office and unit for emergencies. Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) help ensure staff, visitors, and volunteers know what to do if a crisis occurs. These plans outline critical information such as evacuation and sheltering procedures, office location details, and current local contact information.
First, let’s celebrate the progress you made in 2025:
• 96 percent of Nebraska Extension offices/units reviewed and submitted an Emergency Action Plan in 2025.
• This is a 62 percent increase in just five years. Wow! Great work everyone!
2026 Submission Periods
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Each Engagement Zone has a designated two month window for offices/units to annually review and submit updated plans:
• February 1 to March 31: Zones 1, 4, 8, and 10
• May 1 to June 30: Zones 7, 9, 11, and Raising Nebraska
• September 1 to October 31: Zones 2, 3, 5, and Dean’s office
Offices who are scheduled for review, updates and submission, will receive an email that includes the current template, link for uploading plans, and office hours date/time. The submission link stays open all year, so you are encouraged to update your plan whenever information changes.
Virtual office hours will be offered during each submission window. These sessions are designed to answer questions and provide guidance for anyone completing or updating a plan.
Resources and Support
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Helpful tools for completing EAPs are available at disaster.unl.edu. After logging in with employee credentials, visit the About Us section and select Employee Resources. These materials include templates, examples, and information that can be adapted to fit local needs.
Keeping Plans Current
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Emergency Action Plans work best when they reflect what is happening in your office right now. Please review your plan any time staff roles change, offices move or are remodeled, or when community emergency contacts or procedures are updated. Treat the plan as a working document that supports your team throughout the year.
Nebraska EDEN Tier 1 – Foundational: Reviewing, updating and submitting Emergency Action Plans for Extension office/units is a Tier 1 outcome. All faculty and staff are now members of the Nebraska EDEN team, which means these efforts can easily be reported. If you have not done so already and report in PEARS, copy the 2026 Nebraska EDEN State Action Plan as an Individual Action Plan so you can track and report on your contributions.
Thank you for your continued attention to safety. Your thoughtful work on these plans helps create a more prepared and resilient Nebraska Extension.
Remember . . . be sure to practice your plan often so your team knows what to expect and is ready to respond when a situation arises.
Soni Cochran
scochran2@unl.edu