“There have been, and will be again, many destructions of mankind arising out of many causes; the greatest have been brought about by the agencies of fire and water, and other lesser ones by innumerable other causes.” Timaeus by Plato
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a vital hub of academic inquiry, groundbreaking research, and significant economic activity. However, its mission continuity is vulnerable to disruption from natural hazards, such as severe weather, and human-caused threats, such as utility failures, which present a potential catastrophic financial and reputational risk.
The Niner Response Network is a forward-thinking initiative designed to safeguard the University’s core mission against these disruptions through lifeline redundancies and mitigation efforts. One such endeavor is to create decentralized and resilient infrastructure, to include portable power and communication solutions, helping to ensure essential functions can continue. Through an innovative partnership with the William States Lee College of Engineering, NRN seeks to develop trailer-based Mobile Resilience Units. These mobile assets will not only serve this institution but will also be available to support other UNC System institutions and local first responders during regional emergencies, positioning UNC Charlotte as a leader in community and system-wide resilience. It is time to prepare.
This project delivers five key strategic benefits:
Mission Preservation: Ensures a baseline of power and connectivity for academic, research and business continuity. This includes powering labs to protect long-term experiments, enabling remote instruction, supporting essential administrative functions and keeping key IT infrastructure online.
Strategic Resilience: Fortifies the University against external disruptions, reducing institutional risk and enhancing our reputation as a well-managed, forward-thinking organization.
Applied Learning and Innovation: Provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to design and build technology that directly serves their University, turning a campus vulnerability into a showcase of Niner ingenuity.
Enhanced Community Safety: Ensures that, in any scenario, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff — the people who carry out our mission — are better protected.
Long-term Disaster Recovery: Enhances Recovery Support Function (RSF) 11 of the North Carolina Disaster Recovery Framework (NCDRF) by focusing on the needs of educational systems by reducing the impact of future disasters. These assets can also be deployable to support other UNC System institutions and local first responders, cementing UNC Charlotte’s role as a key partner in regional emergency management.
Note: The Niner Response Network is in development. More information will be shared soon.
Mission Statement:
To ensure the continuity of UNC Charlotte’s academic, research and business operations during utility disruptions by deploying a resilient network of portable and mobile power, communication technologies and community lifeline support.
Vision Statement:
To establish UNC Charlotte as a leader in regional and system-wide resilience, fostering a collaborative network that ensures academic and business continuity, research preservation and public service beyond our campus borders.
Support the Niner Response Network
Want to be part of building the future of this great initiative? You can help support the Niner Response Network by donating online.