It is always best to be prepared. That is the case when it comes to safety on all university campuses including UW-Platteville. The federal government has prompted improvements regarding safety. An upgraded plan for UW-P is in the final stages of completion.

The two components of the plan are: Emergency Response Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan. The Emergency Response Plan is comprised of several different groups of people including the UW-P University Police, Platteville Fire Department, UW-P faculty and others.

“We had an Emergency Response Plan in place and a year ago we went through the process of reviewing it,” Tom Pritchett, UW-P safety and risk manager, said. If an emergency were to occur, the response plan would cover the details that would take place in the one to eight hours after the incident.

“We have to look at statistically what type of accident will happen on campus,” Pritchett said. “Around campus the emergency buzz word is campus shootings, but the most likely emergency at UW-Platteville would be a tornado or other natural disaster,” added Pritchett.

“The COOP is currently being created so the university can get back on their feet after an emergency,” Laurel Skrede, director of university police, said. “COOP is a good example of getting you to think about what to do if something happens.”

In the wake of disaster at UW-P the Emergency Response Plan and COOP will go into effect immediately. If needed, classes could resume online. Alternative housing would be found for students who live in dorms. Food service would relocate. All bases are covered to ensure the safety and comfort of UW-P students and faculty.

Rich Egley, dean of students, described COOP as a “plan of action that addresses as many scenarios as you can think of.”

“Some recent tragedies like Virginia Tech causes a person to ask do you have the right plan in place,” Egley said. In the unlikely and unfortunate chance that something so tragic could happen this close to home, Egley said he wants the university staff and students to be prepared.

Both plans should be finalized during fall semester. Once the plans are complete they will be put under revision every six months to a year.
“The revisions may be made due to technology upgrades, changes in the community, or building codes,” Skrede said.