University of Wyoming Completes Emergency Planning Review

February 11, 2013
Man speaking at presentation
Fort Collins Police Sgt. Dan Murphy discussed active shooters and police response in schools and public buildings. (UW Photo)

More than 150 University of Wyoming administrators and staff members took part in a Jan. 30 review of the UW Emergency Response Plan.

The review was part of the university's ongoing commitment to safety, says UW Police Chief Mike Samp.

“The Emergency Response Plan (ERP) review was an opportunity for the university to take a critical look at our processes, and consider options for improving our services in the various areas of public safety,” he says. “Overall, we feel we are well prepared -- but want to make sure we do not become complacent in light of the some of the national events that have occurred recently.”

Nancy Fox, UW Environmental Health and Safety Department director, says the ERP is a basic guide for providing a response system to UW faculty, staff and students for major emergencies that may threaten the health and safety of the campus community.

The plan identifies departments and individuals responsible for emergency response and critical support services. The ERP is adaptable to a broad range of hazardous incidents such as weather emergencies, fires, chemical spills, civil disturbances and other situations, Fox says.

The UW Building Emergency Action Plan Program supports the UW ERP by providing pre-planning guidelines and actions to be taken by university faculty, staff, students and visitors within UW’s nonresidential buildings.

"Events like this help us communicate our ability to use the plan in a wide variety of emergency situations," says Mark Collins, UW interim vice president of administrative operations.

Speakers at the event were UW President Tom Buchanan; Samp; Keith Harris, formerly of the Office of Homeland Security and now a private consultant; Sgt. Dan Murphy, Fort Collins (Colo.) Police Services; and Fox.

For more details and additional resources, click here.

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