September is National Preparedness Month. With the new academic year underway, it is the perfect time to review tips to stay safe at Emory.
Over the past year, the university has taken several steps to strengthen campus safety and preparedness. These efforts include implementing building access controls, expanding staffing within the Emory Police Department, enhancing safety infrastructure, increasing safety and emergency preparedness training, strengthening behavioral threat assessment capabilities, and partnering with campus stakeholders to foster a culture of safety, awareness, and shared responsibility.
“National Preparedness Month serves as an important reminder that safety is a shared responsibility,” note Emory Police Chief Burt Buchtinec and Sam Shartar, assistant vice president of the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response. “By working together, students, faculty, staff, visitors, and patients help create a safer, more prepared and more resilient campus for all.”
Members of the Emory community can take a proactive role in campus safety by taking these five steps:
- Download the Emory Safe app and enable push notifications.
- Check your contact information for the Emergency Notification program.
- If you see something, say something. Add EPD’s number (404-727-6111) for faster emergency and medical services on campus.
- Exercise caution while cycling, driving, or walking around campus, and slow down when driving in parking decks.
- Familiarize yourself with emergency resources, including blue light phones, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), bleeding control kits, fire extinguishers and evacuation routes.
In addition to the Emory Police Department and Emory Emergency Medical Services (EEMS) serving as first responders around the clock, Emory also offers a strong network of support resources for students, faculty and staff.
Emory Safety Fair and other campus events
Throughout National Preparedness Month and into the beginning of October, Emory is hosting in-person and virtual opportunities to engage with campus public safety partners:
- Sept. 14-18: Safety Week at Rollins School of Public Health. This year’s theme is “Preparedness Starts at Home.” Events include opportunities to meet your first responders, CPR demonstrations, the Healthy Emory Well-Being Expo, a mini safety fair and self-defense demonstrations.
- Sept. 18: EPD Community Police Academy. Curious about what it takes to keep our campus safe? Meet the officers, dispatchers and detectives of the Emory Police Department. The Community Police Academy offers the opportunity to learn about conducting a traffic stop, investigating a crime scene and even practicing a few self-defense techniques. Noon to 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, Claudia Nance Rollins Building, Room 1000. Register today.
- Oct. 1: Emory Safety Fair. More than 30 Emory departments and organizations will showcase safety, health and well-being resources. Don’t miss the free ice cream, giveaways and games, happening from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 1, at the ESC Promenade.
