Understanding Emergency Response on a College Campus

Chief Scott D. Kunkle
Capital University Police Department 

Officer Jeff Davidson #39
Capital University Police Department

Ensuring the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff is of paramount importance on college campuses. Emergencies can strike unexpectedly, ranging from natural disasters to incidents of violence, medical emergencies, or technological failures. To effectively handle these situations, colleges must have robust emergency response plans in place.

College Police Departments

The role of the police department of a college campus, primarily, is to maintain and provide for the safety of all students and faculty on a 24/7 basis. As sworn police officers, obviously we still make arrests and enforce laws when applicable. 

Capital University Police Department (CUPD) differs from a city or township police department because we only have jurisdiction on private property that Capital owns. We do not have any jurisdiction over any roadways, such as College Avenue, Main Street, or Pleasant Ridge Avenue. Also, there is a federal law that was passed in the 1990s called the Clery Act that requires all universities who receive federal funding are mandated to report certain crimes (without delay) that occur on campus, such as sexual assaults, dating violence, burglaries, or anything that involves a bias of some sort.

Collaboration with Local Authorities

In addition to their own resources, colleges should collaborate closely with local law enforcement, fire departments, and medical facilities to establish effective partnerships in handling emergencies. Engaging in joint training exercises and sharing resources can enhance response times and save lives. 

Depending on what kind of event it is, there are certain state and county resources that are available to help with that. For instance, the Ohio State University uses the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, as well as the Ohio State Highway along with their own university police and Columbus Police to assist in security measures around and inside the stadium for game day. There is also a Department of Homeland Security task force that is on scene near the Stadium that constantly monitors areas of the crowd for potential problems.

Here at Capital, we rely on the Sheriff's Office and the City of Bexley Police Department to partner with security for events like Commencement and the July 4th fireworks. It entails lots of meetings and strategizing months in advance. First responders also utilize the ICS, or incident command system, of establishing a chain of command for large scale events and who ends up making the decisions if something were to happen.

Campus-wide Drills and Training

Regular drills and training exercises help in familiarizing students, faculty, and staff with emergency procedures. Conducting fire drills, active shooter drills, and other emergency scenarios will enhance preparedness and ensure that individuals understand their roles and responsibilities during crises.

Building Evacuation Plans

Colleges should have comprehensive building evacuation plans that clearly outline escape routes, designated assembly points, and procedures for individuals with disabilities. The plans should be easily accessible, posted prominently, and periodically reviewed to accommodate changes in infrastructure or occupancy.

It is Important to have campus police, because we can respond to a major incident much quicker, we have knowledge of all the buildings and where things are, we have key and card access to the buildings and basically know the students, staff and faculty are. As a police department, we are more community oriented than city police departments because we are in the building as well as outside. 

Shelter and Safe Spaces

In certain emergencies, such as severe weather events or active shooter situations, students, faculty, and staff may need to seek shelter or safe spaces. Emergency plans should clearly indicate locations where people can find protection and instructions on how to reach these areas safely.

College campuses are bustling hubs of education and social activity, hosting thousands of students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis. However, this dynamic environment also comes with potential risks and emergencies that must be addressed swiftly and efficiently. Understanding emergency response protocols on college campuses is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone within the community.