Office of the Dean
Office of the Dean

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness

In the event of an emergency (explosion, fire, tornado, criminal act, or any situation causing harm, injury or severe property damage):

All employees:

  1. Take necessary personal safety precautions.
  2. Call 911.
  3. Provide comfort, but do not move injured.
  4. Notify a supervisor when safe to do so.

Supervisors should notify:

  1. College Emergency Management System director: (859) 257-7868
  2. College administration (such as chair or dean) and additional staff, as needed: (859) 257-4772
  3. UK Police: (859) 257-8573
  4. UK Public Relations: (859) 230-9086 (24 hour on-call line); (859) 323-4761 (Ag Communications)

Additional contact numbers:

To report maintenance emergencies on main campus (such as burst water lines), call the Physical Plant: (859) 257-3844

Building Emergency Action Plan (BEAP) information is housed on the UK Crisis Management and Preparedness site. To access building-specific BEAPs, log in to the BEAP portal with your linkblue credentials.

In order to be thoughtfully prepared for potential classroom emergencies, we are asking you to add the language below to your course syllabus. We would also highly recommend that you yourselves be signed up for the UK Emergency Alert system with a device that you have available to you on your person in the classroom. 

Recommended syllabus text:

"If an emergency arises in this classroom, building or vicinity, your instructor will advise you of actions to follow to enhance your safety. If a situation requires emergency shelter (i.e., during a severe weather event), the nearest shelter location is <insert location here>. If building evacuation occurs (i.e., fire alarm), follow posted evacuation routes and assemble at <insert the evacuation location> so the instructor can help ensure their students have evacuated the building safely and they are not hindering emergency personnel access to the building. If you may require assistance during an emergency, notify the instructor at the beginning of the semester. In order to prepare for emergencies while on campus, please view the emergency response guidelines at the UK Division of Crisis Management and Emergency Preparedness website: (http://www.uky.edu/EM/emergency-response-guide.html). To receive emergency messages, sign up for UK Alert (http://www.uky.edu/EM/UKAlert). Always turn cellular phones to silent mode when entering the classroom. If you observe or receive an emergency alert, immediately and calmly inform your instructor.”

 

The following information is provided to facilitate entering location-specific information into the suggested text. 

Specific shelter and evacuation instructions for CAFE buildings can be found here:

  • Shelter locations. See accordion tab above: Sever Weather Safe Places
  • Building Emergency Action Plans (including evacuation instructions). See accordion tab above: Building Emergency Action Plans

For all other UK buildings:

  • Shelter locations - the National Weather Service recommends seeking severe weather shelter in a windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of the building.
  • Evacuation locations - instructors should look for the evacuation plans (often posted near stairwells) and identify the nearest two exits (in the event the primary exit is not safe to use) and assemble together a safe distance outside the building away from the exits (to not block entry of first responders).

Women's Self Defense Program (Self Defense Tactics and Risk Reduction course - S.T.A.R.R.)

To encourage women to take an active interest in their own safety, the University of Kentucky Police Department offers the S.T.A.R.R. program. The Self Defense Tactics and Risk Reduction course is designed for women over the age of 13 with no maximum age limit.

The program begins with a 3-hour discussion on ways to reduce your risk of being targeted and general safety tips. The remaining 9 hours is all active learning so get ready to break a sweat! We seek to empower women with the knowledge of how to defend against larger and often stronger attackers. Punching, kicking and ground defense techniques are all taught in a non-threatening atmosphere by instructors who have been trained and certified.

For more information and to view the dates the course is offered, visit the S.T.A.R.R. website.

Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT)

Recognizing that managing events following a serious emergency on campus can quickly overwhelm the resources of first responders, UK Police Department’s Division of Crisis Management & Preparedness now offers Campus Community Emergency Response Team (C-CERT) training for faculty and staff. UK C-CERT members will receive hands-on training in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety and suppression, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, team organization, disaster psychology and terrorism. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, C-CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. C-CERT is typically offered each fall. Click here for more information.

Citizen Police Academy

As part of the ongoing effort of the UK Police Department to provide the highest level of protection to the campus community, it is our mission to foster more cohesive relationships between law enforcement officers and the community. One way we achieve that is through our Citizen Police Academy (CPA). Each semester UKPD offers this free series of seven classes covering several aspects of policing.

The CPA is open to all UK faculty, staff, students, and members of the community who are 18 years or older with no prior felony convictions. Prospective participants must complete a course application and submit to an electronic background check.

Topics presented during the CPA include: 

  • University Policing Overview
  • Criminal Procedure
  • K-9 Operations
  • Firearms/Use of Force
  • DUI
  • Dignitary Protection Team
  • Crisis Management and Preparedness

Course material will be presented through lecture, audio-visual aids, and interactive scenarios.

To view available trainings and get more information about the UK Citizen Police Academy, go to: http://www.uky.edu/Police/citizensacademy.html.

Severe Weather Spotter Training

Personnel (particularly those with duties that require them to work outdoors) may be interested in National Weather Service Severe Weather Spotter trainings. Check the link periodically as trainings may be added to the schedule. Classes are offered face-to-face in locations across the state and some trainings are also available online. The Weather Spotter’s Field Guide is also available for download.

Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center

The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center works with UK students, staff, faculty, and community partners toward the mission of eliminating the perpetration of interpersonal violence including sexual assault, partner violence and stalking.

The Green Dot Overview training targets faculty, staff, and students. The training will introduce the basic elements of Green Dot while using persuasive and inspirational language to engage participants in immediate action. This training may be particularly useful for employees who interact with students to be able to initiate conversations with those who may be experiencing interpersonal violence. To view available trainings and register to attend, visit the VIP program and events page.

Suicide Prevention

According to the National Mental Health Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college-age students, with an estimated 1,088 occurring on campuses each year. With training you can learn how to save the life of a student, friend, colleague, family member, or neighbor.

In as little as 1½ hours you can learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to apply three simple steps that may save a life. Presented by a certified instructor, each training includes information on:

  • The problem of suicide nationally and in Kentucky
  • Common myths and facts associated with suicide
  • Warning signs of suicide
  • Tips for asking the suicide question
  • Methods for persuading suicidal individuals to get help
  • Ways of referring at-risk people to local resources
  • Time for questions and answers

Each attendee will receive a booklet and card with information on suicide prevention, as well as resource information for treatment providers and support groups within their community.

For more information on suicide prevention, visit the UK Counseling Center Suicide Prevention webpage.

The security of your computers and other electronic devices at work (and at home) can impact far more than just your local system. Personal and work-related information may be compromised or stolen, and your device may unwittingly be part of future security breaches as a consequence. Resources are available to help you better protect your electronic devices and keep your information safe:

Secure Blue webpage

ATV Guidelines

Andrea Higdon
Emergency Management System Director
UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
N-212B Ag Science North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
859-257-7868
Fax: 859-323-1991
andrea.higdon@uky.edu

Contact Information

Dr. Nancy Cox, Ph.D.
Dean

S123 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4772