The Land Grant University for the 21st Century
Washington State University - Agency 365
2009-2011 Operating Budget
Request
Performance Level Decision Package
–Policy Level "PS"
Public Safety Emergency Management
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Updated Aug 25, 2008
Agency Recommendation Summary:
This request
improves campus safety at Washington State University with additional police
officers, police training and equipment, inter-local police and fire agreements,
the installation of public address systems within buildings, and the acquisition
of electronic locking devices for major buildings. The funding will provide
permanent funding to further develop emergency practices, plans, and programs
statewide. About $1.8 million of
the request is one-time funding.
Fiscal Details:
Package
Description:
Funding
requested in this package will provide:
·
$169,000 for emergency
management staff responsible for the coordination of emergency management issues
across the WSU system. This
includes the development and implementation of education and training programs,
coordination with city, county, state and federal agencies, as well as emergency
planning assistance for WSU departments, colleges and divisions.
·
Five
additional commissioned police officers ($811,000). This includes one additional
WSU police officer added to each of three shifts at the Pullman campus. The
university currently operates with a minimum of two officers per shift. The
addition of five police officers would increase the Pullman force from 17 to 22
FTE.
·
Better
police equipment and training. Training is a vital component to the routine
effectiveness of any police department, but perhaps more importantly, to the
overall ability to address crisis situations – such as those tragedies that have
been experienced by other higher education institutions. A well-staffed,
well-equipped, and well-trained police force will continue to ensure the safe
atmosphere of our campuses.
·
Enhanced
funding for inter-local agreements with nearby police and fire departments.
·
A
threat assessment coordinator responsible for leading a team that
will evaluate individuals whose behavior poses a potential threat to
the safety of students, staff and faculty.
The team would be comprised of existing staff from mental
health, student conduct, human resource services, police, and
appropriate administrators. ($118,000)
·
A
mental health counselor to augment existing professional counseling
staff. This position would
provide educational programs, consultation, outreach, and crisis
services. ($102,000)
·
Installation
of the first phase of an internal public address system within major
buildings – essentially upgrading existing fire alarms to include network and
voice capability. (One-time
funding-$1,000,020)
·
Installation
of remote electronic locking devices in older major buildings.
While some newer buildings have this feature, most of our
older buildings do not. (One-time funding-$780,000)
OUTCOMES:
·
Funding
for two positions dedicated to emergency planning will better
position the university to protect, respond, and recover from
emergencies at all 73 WSU campuses, offices, and stations statewide.
WSU is responsible for development and maintenance of emergency and
campus safety plans and exercises for all of its campuses, research
stations, and offices statewide.
Accomplishing these tasks requires the expertise,
coordination, and work of staff that can be dedicated to these
purposes, especially in these times of heightened public and
institutional concerns regarding campus safety, preparation to deal
with natural disasters, and terrorism and other human-caused
dangers.
·
The
addition of five police officers will bring the Pullman Campus closer in line
with the ratio of officers to student population at campuses of other
universities in the state, and would allow for greater engagement in positive
and preventative interactions with the student community.
The additional training will better equip the police officers to identify
security issues and to respond to campus shootings and terrorist concerns that
have been become the focus of campus safety concerns nationwide.
·
The
addition of one mental health counselor will increase the University’s ability
to better address issues when students or employees exhibit disturbing behavior.
Mental health issues among students and employees have been identified as major
causes of the tragic incidents that have occurred on campuses and educational
institutions across the country. The
ability to recognize and then treat individuals who pose a threat to the campus
community is essential in addressing and taking steps to prevent such violence.
·
The
addition of a threat assessment coordinator (a common position in the K-12
system) will provide needed and timely coordination among university staff
engaged in identifying or evaluating troubled individuals and taking appropriate
action to avoid a tragic incident.
·
Fire
alarm systems will be upgraded in Todd Hall, Smith Center, Sloan Hall, Bohler,
Bustad Hall, the French and Lighty buildings, Fulmer Hall, Webster Hall, and
Johnson Tower to include public address capabilities that can be coordinated
with the systems in other major university buildings.
·
External locking devices
will be installed at Todd Hall, Smith Center, Sloan Hall, Electrical/Mechanical
Engineering Building, Dana Hall, Engineering Teaching/Research Lab, Thompson
Hall, Fulmer Complex, Heald/Eastlick Halls. These external locking devices can
be operated from central remote location in the event of an emergency requiring
such action.
Calculations:
Note: The request includes $1.8M of one-time funding and on-going funding of
$1.2M per year.
For more information, contact Larry Ganders, Assistant to
the WSU President, Olympia, at 360-534-2333
