Inside Gallaudet

Memories of September 11, 2001 inevitably involve sadness, fear, and anxiety. When recalling the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., many continue to have concerns about public safety. For a perspective on steps the University has taken to help put our community’s minds at ease, Inside Gallaudet interviewed Dr. Meloyde Batten-Mickens, executive director of Facilities and the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

 

Inside Gallaudet: What was your reaction to 9/11/01?

 

Dr. Meloyde Batten-Mickens: It was surreal. Watching the news felt like watching a movie. I made and received calls to my family to confirm immediate members were ok, then settled in on campus. Leaving the campus was not an option--it was more about figuring out what our team could do to assist the community and keep the University’s communications infrastructure operational. We were successful, considering the high volume of concerns flowing in and around our campus.

 

IG: What did you think of Gallaudet’s response at the time?

 

MBM: With the limited information we had, overall the University worked well to inform and manage the many outside calls of concern for our students and community.

 

IG: What has changed about emergency preparedness and procedures since 9/11?

 

MBM: Awareness of crisis planning and the importance of information dissemination.

 

IG: What would you say to parents concerned about students’ safety at a Washington, D.C. school like Gallaudet?

MBM: While our campus is in a challenging metropolitan area, we have an increased support system through the Consortium of Universities, the D.C. Homeland Security/Emergency Management Agency, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, and other local and federal agencies to be informed, trained, and updated as various events occur around our area.

 

I would also urge parents—and everyone on campus--to take safety seriously. Successful safety measures with the aforementioned agencies must work in conjunction with members of our community. Send your young leaders of society to Washington, D.C. with a foundation of safety awareness that our administration can build upon to help them become more enlightened about public safety. They should also have a sense of the reality of what happens when they do not take safety seriously.

 

Give them simple safety tips from the Emergency Preparedness site such as travel with a friend, look out for fellow students, let someone know if you are going off campus, be aware of your surroundings, drink responsibly, read your Gallaudet email for important information, sign up for the Gallaudet alert, do not use illegal drugs, and communicate with DPS when they sense suspicious and inappropriate activities. These are just a few measures that should be observed to promote safety.  

 

IG: What could the campus community expect to see if there was a terrorist attack in D.C.? How would they be alerted and what should they know?

 

MBM: Realistically, if there were an incident where D.C. was under attack, there would be what I call “controlled chaos.” As local, regional, and federal agencies convene, using the National Incident Management System, University officials are regularly updated and information transmitted to our community. Internally, the administrators will be regularly advised of the situation, provide sensibly shared information to the community as quickly as possible, continually assess the situation, discuss alternatives, and execute the best decisions possible with the information that is provided. 

 

IG: How did the Virginia Tech shootings influence emergency preparedness plans?

 

MBM: As a Virginia Tech alumna (’88), I personally and professionally have been touched and proud of our Hokie camaraderie. The worldwide Virginia Tech community set an incredible standard for all campus communities. Coming together as a family during major challenges is a luxury of collegiate environments that no other organization can realize.

 

The unfortunate incident at Virginia Tech further solidifies the importance of taking public safety and mental health seriously; from providing strategic support and resources for public safety and mental health officials, to expedient information dissemination, to realizing the magnitude of building extensive partnerships with support organizations.

 

IG: What do you see on the horizon of safety and security measures at Gallaudet and in D.C. in general?

 

MBM: Safety and security on campus and in D.C. is an ongoing community process. I envision increased visual safety information dissemination over the network via computers and message boards, planned exercises on campus with local law enforcement leaders, increased D.C. alerts, and a continued community effort for all to take safety seriously. Working together to protect our community is crucial.