Emergency Management

A: HSC is working on taking extra precautions and coming up with a plan to get patients safely off campus if needed. During the Nov. 16 incident, the HSC Police Department, upon recommendation from the Fort Worth Police Department, determined that there was enough distance between the IREB and the Health Pavilion for patients to safely enter and exit. It will be preferable during future incidents to lock down the entire campus.

A: Every campus building is different. HSC will be setting standards and modifying and adjusting those as needed. If there are specific areas people are concerned about, they should reach out, and the HSC Police Department will look at the space and discuss best practices.

A: Although the Fort Worth Police Department officers generally announce their presence upon clearing rooms, every incident is different. Depending on the situation, officers may or may not do this. Everyone is asked to follow all orders from police officers. Anyone with a handgun because they have a Texas license to carry one should let police officers know. The door to each room will be left open once the room is cleared.

A: Information will be provided during incidents by the police and SWAT teams, but securing the safety of the community at large must be their priority. The type, amount and frequency of information provided will be based on the situation.

A: Unfortunately, posting officers outside buildings is not feasible because they are focused on the incident. All faculty, staff and students are asked to follow instructions provided through the emergency notification system, including waiting until an “all clear” is issued. We will ensure this is covered in future trainings.

A: In most HSC buildings, there is a robust wireless system to allow people to receive text alerts. Faculty, staff and students should make sure to connect to Wi-Fi. HSC is aware that the Health Pavilion has areas where the Wi-Fi does not work, and that is being addressed. All faculty, staff and students are automatically enrolled in the emergency notification system each semester unless they opt out. A cellphone number must be provided in myHSC. Please read the Emergency Notifications webpage for further details.

A: There is not a way for individuals to opt out of some notification tools but not others. HSC will examine the option to tailor the delivery method of emergency alerts depending on the circumstances.

A: Access remains on and active during emergency events.  

A: Future trainings will address this issue. In case of an incident such as the one Nov. 16, faculty, staff and students will have a designated location to gather.

A: It is upsetting that when HSC was in an active emergency — when we should be protecting each other — some people got on social media and posted inaccurate information. Information about the risks involved when people do this will be included as part of HSC’s enhanced training. People also should not contact those managing an emergency event to try to get more information because they are hampering those people’s ability to do their jobs.

A: The IREB fifth-floor lock system has been fixed. There are several locations on campus that are restricted. If they aren’t working, please email the HSC Police Department so that they may be fixed.

A: During an incident such as the one Nov. 16, it is best to find a place to hide that has a solid door without glass access. If possible, something heavy should be shoved against the door. Specific instructions will be added to HSC’s enhanced training about securing classrooms, offices, etc. HSC also will examine available options for securing spaces.

A: HSC is planning in-person drills that will cover “what to do in case of…”.

A: This will be discussed further in after-action reviews. Safe rooms are very costly, and there are other ways to mitigate and secure space.

A: HSC will build in instructions on evacuation as part of enhanced training so that everyone receives the same information. As part of this effort, HSC will examine building in a tactical chain of command rather than a professional/workplace chain of command.

A: The daycare is one of the safest places on campus because it is locked at all times. The director receives HSC emergency alerts and is aware of all emergency protocols.

A: HSC leadership is speaking to Human Resources about orientation and the possibility of a staged approach to providing additional information.

A: HSC is working on enhanced training for various types of emergency situations, including active shooter training. The goal is to include specific information for students, faculty and staff about evacuation and shelter-in-place protocols based on the type of emergency, roles and responsibilities (HSC responders, supervisors, internal and external police, etc.), communication during emergencies, securing rooms and building exits, and more.