2008 Woodie Awards
USA looks to improve emergency plan
Anna Chapman
Senior Reporter
Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: News
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In light of the series of events that occurred on Virginia Tech's campus last week, universities across the country are examining their own emergency plans and looking for ways to improve them.
Preventing these types of situations is difficult, therefore developing a concrete plan to deal with the aftermath is important. The University of South Alabama currently has a 59-page emergency response and recovery plan in place.
Chief of University Police Normand Gamache Jr. serves as the director of campus security and parking at USA. His full-time police force patrols the campus around the clock. Being present at different areas on campus and simply watching the surroundings are the best methods for the police to prevent crimes.
Students and members of the community can also help alert police to suspicious activity. Gamache encourages students to be aware of their surroundings as much as possible. If something looks unusual, even if it may seem menial, Gamache advises people to call the police. It is the USA police force's job to provide a safe learning environment which includes investigating suspicious or unusual activity. Gamache goes on to explain that the police are not simply present to investigate crime, but also any activity that is unusual or threatening.
South's emergency plan, which is reviewed annually, includes procedures to effectively deal with almost any type of situation. It is not known whether the university plans to review or revise the document in light of the Virginia Tech massacre.
The detailed emergency plan outlines several forms of communication that would be used to alert students and faculty if a situation were to arise. The document states that "the University telephone system is the primary means of emergency notification." Use of messengers or two-way 800 MHz radios are specified as the means of back-up communication.
Blanket e-mails could also be utilized to alert students and faculty of an emergency situation. Gamache said that there is currently a system in place to notify a certain percentage of the campus, but the University is exploring ways to improve this system. The police force has a good relationship with USA's Housing Department, which could prove vital if there were an emergency in the residence halls.
Preventing these types of situations is difficult, therefore developing a concrete plan to deal with the aftermath is important. The University of South Alabama currently has a 59-page emergency response and recovery plan in place.
Chief of University Police Normand Gamache Jr. serves as the director of campus security and parking at USA. His full-time police force patrols the campus around the clock. Being present at different areas on campus and simply watching the surroundings are the best methods for the police to prevent crimes.
Students and members of the community can also help alert police to suspicious activity. Gamache encourages students to be aware of their surroundings as much as possible. If something looks unusual, even if it may seem menial, Gamache advises people to call the police. It is the USA police force's job to provide a safe learning environment which includes investigating suspicious or unusual activity. Gamache goes on to explain that the police are not simply present to investigate crime, but also any activity that is unusual or threatening.
South's emergency plan, which is reviewed annually, includes procedures to effectively deal with almost any type of situation. It is not known whether the university plans to review or revise the document in light of the Virginia Tech massacre.
The detailed emergency plan outlines several forms of communication that would be used to alert students and faculty if a situation were to arise. The document states that "the University telephone system is the primary means of emergency notification." Use of messengers or two-way 800 MHz radios are specified as the means of back-up communication.
Blanket e-mails could also be utilized to alert students and faculty of an emergency situation. Gamache said that there is currently a system in place to notify a certain percentage of the campus, but the University is exploring ways to improve this system. The police force has a good relationship with USA's Housing Department, which could prove vital if there were an emergency in the residence halls.
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