Public Safety and Emergency Management Policy
Unit: Public Safety
Contact: Ralph Clayton
Title: Associate Vice President for Public Safety
Effective Date: 9/15/2020
Revision Date: 01/17/2023
Purpose
The Public Safety and Emergency Management Policy defines the organizational structure for the Department of Public Safety and the Emergency Management Program. Specifically, the policy describes the authority and responsibilities of the areas empowered to fulfill public safety programs and operations as delegated by the President of The University of Alabama.Policy
Authority and Responsibility
The University of Alabama (University) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of students, employees, and visitors and strives to improve resiliency through comprehensive emergency management practices. The authority to administer a public safety and emergency management program exists by virtue of the authorities vested in the Board of Trustees under Section 264 of the Constitution of the State of Alabama, as amended by Amendment 399 of the Constitution of the State of Alabama. The Legislature of the State of Alabama has recognized the Board as a body corporate, and the powers inherent to the Board’s status as a constitutional instrumentality have been codified in the Code of Alabama, Section 16-47-1, et seq. Section 16-47-34 of the Code of Alabama grants the Board of Trustees the power to delegate to officers of the universities “such powers and functions in the government of students and administration of the affairs of the university as it may deem proper.” Article 5-Section 3 of the Bylaws of The Board of Trustees asserts that “there shall be a president . . . who shall be the chief executive officer” and have “full authority to administer campus affairs and to formulate and issue regulations and orders not inconsistent with the Bylaws, rules, policies, and procedures of the Board and the Chancellor.” The primary responsibilities include any and all matters related to the welfare of the campus.The University President (the President) authorizes the Vice President of Finance and Operations to establish and operate the Department of Public Safety through the Associate Vice President for Public Safety. This authorization provides the power to develop and implement public safety measures and administer the Emergency Management Program. The Emergency Management Program consists of multiple divisions and agencies working collaboratively to provide for the needs of the University.
The University, with approval from the President, has established the following program and committees specifically charged with public safety and emergency management responsibilities.
Emergency Management Program
The University’s Emergency Management Program is a collaborative system represented by several divisions and agencies, both internal and external to the University. These groups have responsibilities relating to the management and coordination of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery activities and are primarily coordinated by the Department of Public Safety. The Emergency Management Policy Group and the Emergency Management Advisory Committee are designated to support the Emergency Management Program.- Emergency Management Policy Group: The Emergency Management Policy Group is appointed by the President and comprised of senior administrative officials. The Emergency Management Policy Group convenes and/or communicates as needed to gather information concerning an emergency or potential emergency and to provide recommendations to the President or the President's designee. The Emergency Management Policy Group meets regularly to discuss public safety issues and upcoming events, reviews emergency plans and processes, and provides input to the President on public safety concerns.
- Emergency Management Advisory Committee: The Emergency Management Advisory Committee (EMAC) consists of stakeholders from the University’s Emergency Management Program, including representatives from internal and external partnerships. EMAC members support the preparation, implementation, evaluation, and revision of the Emergency Management Program. EMAC meets with a frequency determined by the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Director, no less than once every academic year. The OEM Director may assign individual members to EMAC working groups for specific tasks relating to their expertise, agency, or department. The OEM Director schedules meetings and maintains meeting documentation.
Authority and Responsibility
The University, with approval from the President, has established the following offices specifically charged with public safety and emergency management responsibilities.Department of Public Safety
The Office of the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Public Safety manages and coordinates the activities of the University Police Department (includes Security Resources); Security Technologies; Public Safety Compliance; the Office of Emergency Management; the Office of Threat Assessment; and Transportation Services. The AVP for Public Safety empowers these areas to fulfill the Emergency Management Program requirements.Primary functions and services include:
- Manage all areas of public safety.
- Advise senior administration on safety and security matters as they pertain to The University of Alabama.
- Coordinate all human resources, planning, assessment, and budgeting functions for Public Safety areas.
University of Alabama Police Department (Includes Security Resources)
The University of Alabama Police Department (UAPD) is an accredited, fully functioning police department whose mission is to support the University community by educating its community members, providing a safe environment for education and activities, and enforcing applicable laws as necessary. UAPD’s focus is on community policing strategies within the campus community and providing the highest level of safety, security, and customer service. The department is led by a chief of police and is organized into two sections – Operations and Support/Administration.
Primary functions and services include:
- Protect life and property on campus.
- Oversee security planning and operations for special events and activities on campus, including providing command leadership for assisting outside agencies when necessary.
- Maintain a community policing environment on campus.
- Monitor and support the physical security measures on campus.
Security Technologies
The Security Technologies Department is comprised of the areas of Security Technologies and Locksmith Services.
Primary functions and services include:
- Maintain the security infrastructure (keys, access control, CTV, and intrusion systems) on campus.
- Inspect and develop strategies for the physical security of areas and/or buildings.
Public Safety Compliance
The Public Safety Compliance Director oversees the collection of data, training, and outreach related to Clery Act requirements. The role encompasses partnerships with UAPD, Title IX Office, Student Life, and other areas relevant to their mission. The compliance director also works with other areas of public safety in accreditation efforts, grant development, and data analysis.
Primary functions and services include:
- Oversee the collection of data, training, and outreach related to Clery Act requirements.
- Oversee SACS accreditation for the public safety area.
Office of Emergency Management
The mission of the Office of Emergency Management is to help coordinate prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts for the University. The OEM promotes comprehensive emergency management practices through planning, training, exercise, and evaluation. The OEM also oversees the Emergency Management Advisory Committee, established in 2014 with approval from the AVP for Public Safety, to enhance the Emergency Management Program through coordinated input. The OEM leads the Emergency Management Accreditation Program accreditation efforts for the University.
Primary functions and services include:
- Maintain and manage the emergency operations center.
- Develop and maintain emergency plans.
- Oversee the Emergency Management Advisory Committee.
- Report to Emergency Management Policy Group as needed.
- Monitor for potential hazards and notify key personnel of risks.
Office of Threat Assessment
The Office of Threat Assessment is committed to improving the safety of the University community through a proactive, multi-disciplinary, and structured approach to situations which pose, or may reasonably pose, a potentially violent threat to the University environment. The University’s Behavioral Threat Assessment protocol ensures any developed information will be appropriately assessed, analyzed, acted upon, and properly disseminated to ensure the safety and well-being of all associated with the University community.
Primary functions and services include:
- Oversee operation of the Behavioral Threat Assessment program.
- Provide specialized training to University entities to enhance the safety of the University community.
- Review Behavioral Threat Assessment protocol for possible updates/implementation.
Transportation Services
Transportation Services provide the University community with transportation both on and off campus, strategically plans for and maintains parking facilities on campus, enforces parking rules and regulations, and ensures that the University community’s parking needs are met. In addition, Transportation Services provides services to assist students, faculty, and staff with rental vehicles and fuel needs, as well as maintaining the University’s fleet of transportation motor vehicles. Transportation Services includes Crimson Ride Transit, Event Management, Fleet Services, Parking Services, Parking Maintenance, and Automotive Services.
Primary functions and services include:
- Provide transportation.
- Manage vehicle fleet.
- Manage parking services.
- Coordinate event management activities.
Procedures
The Department of Public Safety collaboratively monitors for potential threats and hazards to the University community. Should a threat or hazard be identified, emergency notifications procedures are activated. In the event of a campus emergency, UAPD along with other appropriate response agencies will respond and investigate the threat. If a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health and safety of students or employees is confirmed, UAPD will notify Strategic Communications, who will initiate an emergency notification to the campus community using the emergency alert system.Students, employees, and visitors should call UAPD at 205-348-5454 or 911 to report a crime. Follow directions from UAPD and University officials when provided. Detailed procedures can be found in the University’s Building Emergency Plan.