SFA observes National Emergency Management Awareness Month

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University's Emergency Management, a unit under The University of Texas System Police Department at SFA, has been spending August observing National Emergency Management Awareness Month. The awareness month designated by the International Association of Emergency Managers recognizes the vital role emergency management professionals play in keeping campuses and communities safe, informed and resilient.

"Preparedness is a shared responsibility," said Jeremy Pickett, Emergency Management director. "Our team works daily to support a culture of preparedness and resilience through coordination, planning, training and communication so that our university is ready to face whatever comes its way."

SFA's Emergency Management works year-round to prepare for, respond to and recover from hazards that may affect the campus community. This month, the unit is highlighting its efforts to protect the Lumberjack family and encouraging everyone to take simple steps to strengthen personal and campuswide preparedness.

Emergency Management plays a vital role in safeguarding the university by maintaining and updating the Emergency Operations Plan and its annexes, which address hazards ranging from severe weather to cybersecurity. The team conducts campus-specific risk assessments, leads emergency drills and exercises for departments and leadership, and manages critical communications such as JackAlert notifications during active incidents.

"Many in the Nacogdoches community may hear our siren test at noon on the first Wednesday of each month," Pickett said. This is just one of the many emergency drills we implement to ensure we're prepared."

Additionally, Emergency Management also supports the Emergency Management Committee to align planning and decision-making across the institution, develops building-specific preparedness materials including evacuation and shelter-in-place maps, and coordinates closely with local, state and federal partners to ensure a unified response. When incidents occur, the team activates the Emergency Operations Center to lead and manage response and recovery efforts.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to get involved during National Emergency Management Awareness Month by practicing various precautions recommended by Emergency Management.

• Review your building's emergency maps and rally points.
  
• Sign up for the Rave Guardian mobile app and JackAlert, SFA's official emergency notification system.
  
• Attend emergency preparedness briefings or department-specific planning sessions.
  
• Follow Emergency Management and UTS-SFA police department social media channels for safety tips, preparedness messages and awareness content.
  
• Build a personal emergency kit and discuss emergency plans with your family or roommates.

For more information about Emergency Management and the UTS-SFA police department, visit sfasu.edu/police.