Implications for Campus Safety: Lessons Learned from Critical Incidents at Colleges and Universities

Implications for Campus Safety:Lessons Learned from Critical Incidents at Colleges and Universities Presented by: Inspector Ronald Ellis School & Campus Security Training Program

“THERE CANNOT BE A CRISIS TODAY, MY SCHEDULE IS FULL” Henry Kissinger

Planning for Incidents Involving Violence • Northern Illinois University • Virginia Tech • Nickel Mines, Pa • Bailey, Colorado • Red Lake, Minnesota • Beslan, Russia • Columbine, Colorado • Jonesboro, Arkansas

Key Lessons • The Incident Command System works best when used to its full capacity • Federal, state, and local partnerships are essential for successful response and recovery in large-scale incidents • Interoperable communications are essential and must be strengthened • Strong media and public relations are key • Plan must provide for immediate victim services and mental health needs in emergencies

Key Lessons • Institutions should regularly review physical security infrastructure • Higher education institutions should create behavioral threat assessment teams • Institutions should create inter-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional Campus Violence Prevention Plan • Determine committee structure of persons charged with education and prevention of violence on campus • Integrating existing campus programs dealing with associated issues into the violence prevention plan (e.g., suicide prevention, anti-bullying, sexual assault prevention, workplace violence etc.)

Lessons Learned: Incident Command • Incorporate the Principles of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) in the Response • Used for responding to any type or size emergency • ICS is the management system within NIMS and framework for all emergency responders

Lesson Learned: Incident Command (cont.) • Establish an Incident Command Post at the Onset of the Emergency with Unified Command structure • Located at or near the incident site • Headquarters for directing tactical operations • Assign additional staff to assist IC • Key ICS personnel should wear labeled color vests • Assign scribe to document all IC actions/decisions • Monitor all forms of communication • Assign technology/communication staff to ICP

Lessons Learned Campus Emergency Management • A Unified Command Post should be established. • A Unified Command Post should be staffed by those having statutory authority. • In shooting incidents, law enforcement would be the lead agency. • The Unified Command should communicate directly with EOC and policymaking group.

Lessons Learned: Law Enforcement Response • An Active Shooter incident creates challenge for incoming resources Recommendation: • 1st officer on-scene after initial entry team should establish command • Officer should transfer command as needed • Establish and secure the Incident Command Post as soon as practical in expanding incidents with multiple agencies

Lessons LearnedLaw Enforcement Response • Campus police everywhere should train with local law enforcement agencies on response to active shooters and other emergencies. • Police should escort survivors out of buildings, where circumstances and manpower permit.

Lessons Learned: Communications • Incorporate Communications Equipment and Procedures into All Emergency Management Plans and Trainings • Requires coordination, communication and sharing of information among all first responders and agencies involved in the response • Communication failures are likely if agencies do not have shared frequencies

Lessons Learned:Campus Emergency Management • Failure to open an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will lead to communications and coordination issues during the incident. • The EOC is usually located at a pre-designated site that can be quickly activated having 2 main goals: • Support emergency responders • Ensure continuity of operations within campus community

Campus Emergency Management Lessons Learned • The EOC should NOT function as the incident commander. • The policy making group should function within the EOC. • A Joint Information Center should be established within the EOC to coordinate all public information.

Lessons Learned:Public Relations/Media Relations • Activate a Media Communications Plan at the Onset of the Incident • The core of a media plan is designation of a PIO, who serves as liaison between IC, the media and public • Any delay in establishing PIO can cause frustration for the media and public • Availability of correct and timely information is essential • Consider pre-approved media releases • Designate media staging areas • Schedule regular briefings

Lessons Learned:Victim Services / Mental Health • Establish a Plan to Address Immediate Mental Health Needs of Students & Staff Recommendations: • Strengthen Victim Advocate services through increased training • Develop Procedure for use of Critical Incident Stress Management in school emergencies • Work with community partners to provide short- and long-term support for students/families

Lessons Learned:Campus Emergency Planning • Check exterior door hardware to ensure that they are not subject to being chained shut. • Classrooms and offices should be able to be locked from the inside. • Take bomb threats seriously. Students and staff should report them immediately, even if most do turn out to be false alarms.

Lessons Learned: Campus Emergency Alerting • Campus emergency communications systems must have multiple means of sharing information. • In an emergency, immediate messages must be sent to the campus community that provide clear information on the nature of the emergency and actions to be taken. • Campus police as well as administration officials should have the authority and capability to send an emergency message.

Lessons Learned:Campus Operations & Emergency Planning • School Emergency Plans should have traffic control plan for evacuation points and back-up locations • Consider the Needs of Students & Staff with Disabilities • Students/staff with disabilities may require additional support and considerations during an emergency requiring evacuation

Campus Setting and Security Police Role & Training Recommendations • The head of campus police should be a member of a threat assessment team as well as the emergency response team for the college / university. • Campus police must report directly to the senior campus operations officer responsible for emergency decision- making. • The mission statement of campus police should give primacy to their law enforcement and crime prevention role.

Campus Emergency Operations Planning Recommendations • Universities should do a risk analysis (threat assessment) and then choose a level of security appropriate for their campus. • Institutions of higher learning should have a Threat Assessment Team that includes representatives from: • law enforcement; • human resources; • student and academic affairs; • legal counsel; and • mental health services.

Campus Emergency Operations Planning Recommendations • Students, faculty, and staff should be trained annually about responding to various emergencies and about the notification systems that will be used. • Universities and colleges must comply with the Clery Act, which requires timely public warnings of imminent danger.

Campus Emergency PlanEmergency Supply Bin Medical Supplies, Water Tools, Protective Gear Generator, Lighting Emergency Radio Portable Toilets Sanitation Supplies Stretchers ICS Checklists, Maps Triage Kits Mega Phones LED Flashlights AM/FM Radios Water Preserver Hard Hats ICS Vests Privacy Shelters Forms (Accountability, Reunification, and Medical Treatment)

Campus Mental Health ServicesRecommendations • Colleges and Universities must have a system that links troubled students to : • appropriate medical and counseling services; • either on or off campus; and • balance individual’s rights with rights of all others for safety.

Campus Mental Health Services Recommendations • Universities should promote the sharing of student information internally, and with the student’s family, when significant circumstances pertaining to health and safety arise. • Incidents of aberrant, dangerous, or threatening behavior must be documented and reported immediately to a college’s threat assessment group, and must be acted upon in a prompt and effective manner to protect the safety of the campus community.

Campus Mental Health Services Recommendations • Policies and procedures should be implemented to require professors and staff encountering aberrant, dangerous, or threatening behavior from a student to report them to a designated official. • Reporting requirements must be clearly established and reviewed during annual training.

Campus Emergency Management Recovery Recommendations • Recovery plans should include a section on victim services that addresses the significant impact of homicide and other disaster-related deaths on: - survivors; and - the role of victim service providers. • When a family assistance center is created after a mass casualty event, victim advocates should be called in immediately.

Campus Emergency Management Recovery Recommendations • Both short- and long-term counseling should be made available to first responders, students, staff, faculty members, and university leaders. • Universities and colleges should work with their local government partners to improve plans for mutual aid in all areas of crisis response, including that of victim services.

Thank You Ronald Ellis School & Campus Security Training Program Illinois Terrorism Task Force Illinois Campus Security Task Force Illinois State Board of Education rellis@isbe.net

Implications for Campus Safety: Lessons Learned from Critical Incidents at Colleges and Universities