R. Steve Dick/University Relations
Participants in an incident response training course look over a model campus and city while deciding how to respond to a simulated campus incident.
Course sharpens crisis response skills
As different as a flood, tornado, riot and shooting might seem, there are certain steps that can be taken in any of these situations to secure a campus and ensure a prompt, appropriate response.
That's what a group of campus police officers and individuals from KU and other universities who would respond in the event of an emergency learned at a crisis response training session this month. Trainees took part in a three-day session, learning how to gather information, communicate and relay messages to the public in a crisis.
The course, taught by campus police officers from around the country, prepared campus responders for roles they would serve in a crisis. They were given a scenario that played out on a model that simulated a college campus and surrounding city. The trainees had to gather information and decide what course of action was the proper response.
Trainees were told a student demonstration was under way. As responses were formed, circumstances of the demonstration evolved, including evacuation of a building.
The training, which was provided to KU at no cost, stresses to responders that preparedness and communications are key. When responders learn the best ways to gather information, establish command posts, set up perimeters, communicate with each other and relay the appropriate information to the public and media in a controlled setting, they will be much more effective in an actual crisis.
"This is about as close as you can get to an actual incident. They (trainees) get an idea of just how difficult it can be to handle these situations," said Scott Doner, director of University Police at Valdosta State University in Georgia and one of the trainers. "The really important part is people learn to work together. All different disciplines of a campus need to come together and work efficiently in a major incident."
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