The Division of Student Affairs and the Vice Provost’s Office recently hosted a Campus Safety Forum on emergency preparedness and campus security. The forum was conducted by FIU Office of Emergency Management Program Coordinator Charles Cyrille, and FIU Chief of Police, Bill King. Campus security has been on the minds of all those who frequent university campuses nationwide.  This forum was conducted to inform the BBC community of what the University is and will be doing to create a secure learning and working environment.

The FIU Office of Emergency Management is part of the FIU Police Department.  Emergency Management maintains a website (www.fiuoem.com) with useful information for the FIU community such as the FIU Emergency Management Plan, the Resident Student Evacuation Plan and the updated incident status of the University.  Emergency Management also oversees the Emergency Management Group.  The Emergency Management Group (EMG) is comprised of FIU employees specifically assigned by their area Vice President, whose responsibilities are critical to the University’s overall response and recovery.  The EMG meets monthly to discuss issues that will or may adversely affect operations at the University.  All EMG members are National Incident Management System trained, which enables FIU to interface with outside governmental agencies in the event of a disaster.

The presenters shared some initiatives that are in place or being implemented currently, to increase communication in a time of emergency. If an event takes place while classes are being held, the University has installed VoIP phones in classrooms throughout the campuses.   Emergency phones are located in the front of most classrooms to broadcast emergency messages or to contact University Police.  The University Police can be contacted at the following numbers:
University Park (305-348-5911)
Biscayne Bay (305-919-5911)
Emergency Messages can be broadcast to all phones and outdoor speakers simultaneously.

Additionally, a new text messaging alert system will soon be made available to the FIU community and their friends and families.  Panther Alert will provide free text message notification during an emergency affecting FIU.  Once the service is available, the FIU community will be directed to visit the FIU homepage (http://fiu.edu) for a link and instructions on how to sign up for Panther Alert.  

Additional information about the University’s Emergency response plans can be found on the Emergency Management website (www.fiuoem.com) or by calling the FIU Office of Emergency Management.