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SJRCC Press Release
September 22, 2008
SJRCC safety director says "We're ready"
 Within seconds of the security alert, faculty and students could hear the hallways echo with the sound of locking doors during SJRCC's first campus-wide safety drill. The St. Augustine Campus participated in a lockdown and evacuation drill this summer as part of the Department of Safety and Security's updated crisis plan.
Deputies from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office were on hand to observe and evaluate the drill that began with a mock report of an attacker on campus. The drill included a test of the emergency speaker system installed to broadcast instructions for incidents such as a lockdown. The second drill consisted of a campus-wide evacuation.
Director of Campus Safety David Stout said the drill accomplished two important tasks - the need to communicate successfully throughout the campus and to execute a plan for a safe outcome in the event of an emergency. Stout said that overall, the drill was successful in helping the department to identify areas that needed fine tuning. "What may look good on paper may not always turn out to be the best plan of action," Stout said.
 A similar drill was conducted on the Orange Park Campus and included incorporating lessons learned from the St. Augustine drill. "We also learned that there were several unique issues at each campus which are being addressed as we speak," Stout said. Representatives from FCCJ and the Clay County Sheriff's Office were also on campus to monitor and evaluate the drill and provide their prospective.
"Colleges and universities across the nation are all dealing with improving campus-wide communication and improving their ability to react to emergencies. Our staff at both campuses did a tremendous job of communicating and then implementing the various safety procedures," Stout said.
 SJRCC Executive Vice President Melissa Miller said it is important that the College's security team continue to monitor the events of colleges on a local and national level. "We approach our safety plan with the consensus that we're never finished," Miller said. "There are always improvements to make along the way."
Miller added that the security department also provides other services such as escorts for evening classes, assistance in finding classrooms and first aid.
Stout added that the plan also includes a computer alert system. This program is designed to interrupt active programs on all departmental computers with pertinent information and directions regarding student and faculty safety.
Stout said the drill was a team effort. "It wouldn't have been possible without the cooperation from everyone in administration, staff, faculty, facilities and security." he said.
 "It was a good day. It wasn't a perfect day, but we're a lot safer today because of the drill than we were a few weeks ago," Stout said. "When I go to bed, I want to know that everyone is safe."
A drill for the Palatka Campus is set for the end of the fall semester. Stout added that once the crisis plans are finalized, drills will be conducted annually on all campuses.
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Top photo: Safety director David Stout checks the St. Augustine Campus administration building after the College received a lockdown order.
Second photo: An actor describes a mock attack prompting SAC employees to put the crisis plan into action.
Third photo: David Stout addresses SJRCC staff and deputies from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
Bottom photo: SAC students wait for the signal to return to classes.
Return to SJRCC home page.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
SJRCC Director of Public Relations and Publications
5001 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, FL 32177
(386) 312-4020
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