Active shooter training is free to UAB students, faculty and staff. Register for a Nov. 30 session or call 205-934-4229 or email mhart1@uab.edu to learn more. Knowing what to do if a violent intruder is on campus could save your life. And knowing what to do right now could prevent campus violence and protect you from it.
“As our hearts go out to the campuses across our nation who have experienced tragic violence, we are reminded about the importance of our ongoing, diligent efforts to prevent and prepare for the possibility of violence,” said UAB Chief of Police Daryl Green. “I encourage all members of the UAB community to take full advantage of the important safety resources we offer and play an active role in keeping UAB safe.”
UAB performs well in safety statistics in large part due to secure facilities, the latest technology and a nationally accredited police force supported with analysis, training and communication. But the daily news reminds us that bad things happen, and preparation is essential.
As part of the overall campus safety plan, UAB provides active-shooter training and other resources to prepare students and employees to help prevent violence and protect themselves and the campus community.
“UAB Police and Public Safety personnel train regularly with key campus partners to respond to the possibility of campus violence, including full-scale active shooter drills,” said UAB Police Sgt. Marvin Hart, who oversees Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training for employees and students. “UAB Police officers receive 16 hours of advanced law enforcement rapid-response training to make sure they are prepared for an active-shooter incident on campus.”
According to UAB policy, no firearms, ammunition, or dangerous weapons are allowed in buildings or any UAB facilities at any time. A gun permit does not authorize an employee, student, patient or visitor to bring firearms into any UAB facility under any circumstance. |
CRASE provides guidance and a plan for surviving an active-shooter event that employs a strategy of Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD), and hundreds of students, faculty and staff already have participated this year.
The training is free and can be customized for academic, administrative or clinical groups, large or small. Contact Sgt. Hart at 205-934-4229 or mhart1@uab.edu to learn more.
An open public session is planned 1 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Hill Student Center. Room size limits participation to 80 for this event, so register online using the UAB Campus Calendar.
“We are committed to keeping our campus safe and encourage everyone on campus to participate in this important training,” Hart said.
Several other resources are available in an emergency:
- Update your B-Alert profile to ensure timely alerts
UAB’s Emergency Management Team uses its B-Alert emergency-notification system to communicate any threat to campus through voice calls, SMS text messages and emails. Ensure your contact information is up to date at uab.edu/balert.
- Use your GPS-enabled panic button app connected to UAB Police
The personal security app RAVE Guardian has an emergency feature that turns your smartphone into a personal panic button that calls 911 or UAB Police, depending on your proximity to campus, and can share your location with UABPD. The app and service is free to everyone with a uab.edu address; download it now.
- Call from a Help Phone
Familiarize yourself with the Help Phones located on your daily routes; they are a direct link to the UAB Police Department and are monitored 24 hours a day.
- Share concerns about possible threats to prevent violence
One of UAB’s best defenses is the timely observation of a student or employee. Call 911 to report an imminent threat to safety. Situations and behaviors of concern that are clearly not emergencies can be reported to UAB’s Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management team or reported through the Rave Guardian app.
Learn more about and access these and other safety resources at uab.edu/safety.
Don’t forget, UAB Student Counseling Services and the UAB Employee Assistance Counseling Center are available to students and employees who need them.
UAB is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all Blazers. From mobile apps to bus escort services to B-Alerts and more, make sure you’re up to date on all the ways to stay safer on campus.
