By SUSAN JONES
A new 30-minute training video from the Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management combines several safety-related videos covering active killer awareness, shelter-in-place vs. lockdown procedures, operating panic buttons, fire safety and more.
An email on Sept. 22 from David DeJong, senior vice chancellor of business and operations; Ted Fritz, vice chancellor of public safety and emergency management; and James Gallaher, vice chancellor of human resources, said that:
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Supervisors are required to share the training with all current and new employees.
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Faculty are encouraged to complete the safety training, which is available through the University Center for Teaching and Learning.
“We entrust supervisors are sharing safety training and resources with employees and count on them to ensure completion,” Fritz said in response to questions from the University Times. “We are also making this part of the new hire orientation materials. We encourage Pitt community members to contact the Office of Human Resources with questions or additional needs, as we work together to support a safe campus community.”
Since two hoax active shooter incidents in the spring, the University has been working to shore up its safety preparations, including trainings like this, as well as installing locks on all classroom doors and panic buttons.
One issue in the spring was what should be done during a lockdown, which was initiated after the hoax shooter incident at nearby Central Catholic High School. The video details the procedures during a lockdown, which are a response to an immediate physical threat to the campus community, and differentiates that from shelter-in-place emergencies, which are often related to weather or environmental threats.
Another topic covered is recognizing the signs of terrorism-related suspicious activity. The list includes individuals seen testing or probing of security, surveilling buildings, or collecting weapons. If you suspect something, report it to the Pitt Police at 412-624-2121 or your local police.
Other tips covered in the training deal with pedestrian safety, preventing theft — the most common crime on campus — and dealing with suspicious mail and bomb threats,
The video also details what crime statistics universities like Pitt are required to report under the Jeanne Clery Act of 1990. Pitt releases annual security and fire safety reports every fall.
The act also requires that warnings be issued to the campus community in the case of serious, ongoing threats or if there is an immediate, significant danger to the health or safety of the campus community.
Pitt Police received some criticism in the spring when a notification was not sent out during an incident at Hillman Library that ended up being a hoax.
Fritz told Faculty Assembly last month that communication specialists and supervisors in the police department are now trained weekly on sending out emergency notification messages, including scenarios presented to them so “they’re practicing what they’re going to say and about how to do it,” Fritz said. “It’s sort of a pressure situation for them … so the more training they receive on this, the better they’re going to react when needed.”
Also new are pre-planned messages, such as sending out a report of an active shooter while specifying that it’s not yet confirmed. “If it is confirmed, we’ll say that as well,” he said. “So we’ll have that option there to let people know, ‘Hey, police may be responding to a scene. It’s an unconfirmed report, but that’s what we know right now.’ It’s important to me that we get that information out to everybody, so they know what is happening.”
The video notes that Pitt’s Emergency Notifications Systems sends out “critical information” during an emergency via voice calls, text messages and emails. Everyone is automatically enrolled to receive emails, but must opt in to voice and text messages through the ENS page on the Pitt IT website. Current crime alerts or updates to ongoing emergencies also are available on the Pitt Police website and social media channels.
The Rave Guardian app is another way to get information or to report crimes. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to download this app.
The final section of the video deals with fire safety and building evacuation procedures. Building Occupancy Handbooks for each structure on campus are available on Environmental Health & Safety website. Those with disabilities are encouraged to create an Individual Evacuation plan with Environmental Health & Safety department.
“Additionally, we encourage everyone to explore the safety resources available through the Public Safety and Emergency Management website, furthering their preparedness,” the Sept. 22 email said. “In addition to videos and information detailing different safety situations, individuals, departments, and groups can benefit from personalized instruction and guidance available through in-person programs offered by Pitt Police, including the SAFE Self-Defense Program and Civilian Response Training for Active Killer Incidents.”
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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