Campus News

UK's Safe Communities Program Supports Western Kentucky University in Achieving Safe Community Accreditation

Lexington, Ky. (July 30, 2014) -- Western Kentucky University (WKU) becomes an accredited Safe Community by the National Safety Council. Western Kentucky University is the fourth academic institution and the 25th Safe Community in the United States. An accreditation ceremony was held Wednesday, July 30 at the WKU Augenstein Alumni Center and Gov. Steve Beshear proclaimed Wednesday a Safe Community Day in the Kentucky.

The Safe Communities model is a proven approach to community injury reduction structured around a broad coalition of community partners - involving business, civic organizations, local government, non-profits, and local residents. A Safe Community is a community that has been independently accredited at the national and international level as a community that values safety and preparedness.  The accreditation confirms that a community has established coordinated local safety and preparedness programs that use local data to plan safety initiatives that are then carried out through the cooperative efforts of safety oriented organizations within the community.  A Safe Community includes active involvement from government officials, public safety agencies, public health, and a variety of other public and private organizations.

The Safe Communities America National Certifying Center at the National Safety Council assists communities nationally to reduce injuries and promote safety for their citizens. Sponsored by the National Safety Council, Kentucky Safe Communities is part of the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center, and is housed in the UK College of Public Health, Kentucky Safe Communities assists communities, colleges, and universities in Kentucky to become accredited Safe Communities throughout the state of Kentucky.

"Our goal is for at least 50 percent of Kentuckians to live in accredited Safe Communities," said Genia McKee, coordinator of the UK Safe Communities program. She sees WKU's accreditation as an important achievement in creating healthy and secure living environments for Kentuckians.

David Oliver, director of environmental health and safety and co-chair of the Western Kentucky University Safe Communities coalition, also recognizes the importance of the accreditation.

“When I first became aware of the Safe Communities program, I immediately saw the potential to bring together our campus community focused around the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors," he said. “It provides a strong framework for collaboration, with a valuable recognition component. Our coalition members were very energized from the start, and were all very proud of their respective programs and the impact they have on campus safety.”

The application process for Safe Communities America was completed in July 2014 when UK's Safe Community reviewers visited Western Kentucky University for a two-day tour. The visit included an overview of injury prevention efforts and programs on campus.

“We have been very impressed with the way all stakeholders at Western Kentucky University are working together to stay safe,” said Donna Stein-Harris, senior director of Safe Communities America for the National Safety Council. “It is evident that WKU has a strong coalition and a never-ending desire to learn from the past, evaluate the present and work on a better future. They are better positioned to prevent injuries and deaths through this collaborative approach.”

Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas that can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

For more information about Safe Community accreditation for your community, please visit safecommunitiesamerica.org and/or contact Genia McKee, coordinator of Kentucky Safe Communities at genia.mckee@uky.edu.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Mallory Powell, Mallory.powell@uky.edu