UK's Emergency Management Services Reorganized

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 21, 2012) ― A reorganization of emergency management services at the University of Kentucky has resulted in establishment of the new Division of Crisis Management and Preparedness (CMP) within the UK Police Department.  This new expanded division, created in November 2011, takes over the responsibilities of the previous Office of Emergency Management.

The primary functions of the division are:  mitigation and preparedness plan development; managing UK's emergency notification system, UK Alert; response and recovery coordination; managing the Emergency Operations Center when activated in response to an emergency situation; training and exercise development; campus security and crime statistics reporting; and 911 addressing.

UK Police Capt. Tom Matlock is the new supervisor of Crisis Management and Preparedness. He is a nearly 10-year veteran of the UK Police force and was most recently captain of Operations.  Matlock graduated from UK and the FBI National Academy and plans to pursue a graduate degree in emergency management.  Prior to coming to UK, he served nine years in the U.S. Navy including service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Matlock said having CMP as part of UK Police helps focus efforts on a safe and secure campus environment. 

"We are concentrating on effective campus disaster preparedness and improving response and recovery activities in a continued effort to minimize the impact of emergencies," Matlock said.  "We also are diligently working to increase our notification capabilities in order to ensure that we can reach out to as many individuals as possible in the event of an emergency.  Campus can expect to see additional publications, new speakers for broadcasting emergency messages, and other enhancements to the notification system."

When emergencies occur, effective response is often based on how well responders have been trained.  Matlock said CMP is placing more focus on training the university community in the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System as part of crisis/disaster preparedness. After researching policies and preparedness at other institutions, Matlock describes UK as "ahead of the curve with regard to crisis management and emergency response."

"However, we recognize the need to constantly improve response and recovery efforts as well as maintain policies that reflect relevant hazards and threats," Matlock said.  "And I am constantly impressed with the positive attitude of students, staff and faculty at UK, along with their eagerness to create a more disaster-resistant university."

UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said he is extremely pleased with CMP's ability to enhance the level of emergency preparedness on campus. 

"I have tasked Captain Matlock and his team with a very aggressive schedule to bring the university to the forefront of campus preparedness," Monroe said.  "I am confident, that with this team and the support of President Capilouto, the university community will see great programming and training coming from the UK Police Department.  This will result in a community ready to respond to any incident."

The staff of the CMP is double the size of the previous Emergency Management Office.  Matlock oversees a three-person team including:

• Laurel Wood, business continuity coordinator.  Wood is a graduate of Morehead State University and UK's Martin School of Public Policy and Administration.  Prior to joining UK CMP, Wood served as a community development specialist with Bluegrass Area Development District and as a grants manager in the Office of the Governor, Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
• Casey Henson, records and compliance coordinator.  Henson, who is responsible for the Clery/Minger Act compliance for UK and the contact for UK Alert information, is a graduate of Morehead State University in paralegal studies.  She joined UKPD in 2009 as a telecommunicator and in 2011 was named Telecommunicator of the Year.
• Sgt. Brad Kinckiner is responsible for program development and training exercises and oversees completion of vulnerability assessments and building emergency action plans for campus buildings.  He joined the UK Police Department in 2010 after receiving a degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University, where he is currently pursuing a graduate degree in safety, security and emergency management.  Kinckiner won UKPD's Rising Star Award in 2010.