Amherst’s Emergency Preparedness Plan
Amherst College has long recognized that preparation for unusual events is crucial to the mission of the College. The College has ensured that the appropriate resources are in place to address the needs of the community.
As it relates to the tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the College has in place an Emergency Preparedness Plan. This plan has components that address the College’s overall response to unusual emergencies on campus. The Campus Police Department has specific policies and procedures for their response.
Some important points are:
The College has an Emergency Preparedness Plan:
- The plan incorporates mass instant communications via email and landline telephones with the College Community.
- The plan incorporates communication with the senior administration of the College.
- The plan incorporates specific police department policies that meet the standard for accreditation for law enforcement agencies.
- Drills have been conducted to test the effectiveness of the Emergency Preparedness Plan.
The Campus Police Department is trained and prepared in terms of personnel and resources:
- The Campus Police Department is staffed with sworn, armed police officers capable of an immediate response without waiting for local police.
- The Campus Police have direct radio communication with the Amherst Police Department.
- The Campus Police have trained with the Massachusetts State Police in responding to active aggressor situations.
- The Campus Police maintain a level of training that exceeds the mandates set by the Massachusetts State Police.
- The Campus Police are well versed in operating under the Incident Command System (ICS) and responding to Mass Casualties.
- All Amherst College police officers are trained as medical first responders and two have attained certification as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).
The Amherst Police Department is trained and prepared in terms of personnel and resources:
- Amherst Police often train on campus and patrol the campus to remain familiar with the campus properties.
- Amherst Police have received comparable training in responding to active aggressors.
- The Amherst Police maintain a level of training that exceeds the mandates set by the Municipal Police Training Committee.
Amherst Fire Department is trained and prepared in terms of personnel and resources:
- The Campus Police work collaboratively with the Amherst Fire Department under ICS and Amherst Fire often trains on campus and is familiar with the College’s plan.