Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Discusses Ongoing Efforts to Protect Missouri Colleges & Universities
Governor Announces Campus Security Task Force
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt today updated Missourians on the state's ongoing efforts and commitment to help ensure safety on collegiate campuses.
Blunt discussed a new Internet-based tool that allows emergency responders to access participating school's floor plans, the addition of educators to the state's Homeland Security Oversight Committees, the dedication of over $10 million to enhance public safety communications, and the formation of a working group to bring together law enforcement and educational leaders to discuss best practices for coordinating safety in Missouri's education facilities.
The governor also announced a new Campus Security Task Force to examine the safety and security at Missouri's higher education institutions and to help ensure a more powerful partnership between school administrators and the public safety community.
"Melanie and I are deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy at Virginia Tech and our thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost a loved one," said Blunt. "At my direction, our public safety officials have been working with educators across the state to identify best practices to protect our students, faculty and staff in a time of emergency. Missourians can feel confident that the actions we have taken to protect our college campuses have made them safer, but the tragedy at Virginia Tech gives all of us pause for the need to do even more.
"That is why today I am announcing a new Campus Security Task Force to evaluate our own campus emergency response plans and to ensure close communications between our higher education and public safety communities. The Task Force will be charged with enhancing our ongoing efforts to make every school campus in Missouri a safe learning environment."
The task force will focus on initiatives to improve safety standards and heighten security within buildings and facilities on campus. The group will also provide the governor with a comprehensive report detailing the findings. Mark James, Director of Public Safety and Dr. Robert Stein, Commissioner of Higher Education will serve as co-chairs. Other task force members will include 2 and 4 year public and private higher education leaders, law enforcement, public safety associations, student representatives and others.
In October 2006 after Blunt participated in a forum for the state, schools and law enforcement to discuss school safety issues and goals for keeping our schools and students safe, he signed an executive order adding an education representative to the state's Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committees (RHCOC) and called on educators to get involved in school safety planning.
The governor has also dedicated over $10 million in federal funds to address interoperable communications. These funds are being used to ensure compatible communication among law enforcement officials and first responders when a disaster strikes. In the event of an incident at an educational facility, the ability to save lives is greatly enhanced when emergency workers responding to a crisis are able to communicate over the same radio channels.
Additionally, under the governor's Homeland Security Advisory Council, school safety concerns have received top priority. The council used federal dollars to purchase an Internet-based tool called the Emergency Response Information Program (ERIP). This program assists schools, colleges, universities and licensed day care facilities in planning and training for an emergency. The council has also formed a school safety working group and has reached out to educators across our state - from K-12 to higher education - to identify best practices to protect our students, faculty and staff in a crisis situation.
For more safe schools related information, please visit Missouri's Office of Homeland Security web site at www.dps.mo.gov/HomelandSecurity.