Texas border affairs
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – Texas Southmost College, in conjunction with the Brownsville Police Department, recently hosted a multi-agency first responder coordination meeting to discuss emergency responses in and around the college.
TSC and Brownsville PD have offered other local, state and federal agencies a three-phase approach to create an interagency coordination plan.
“TSC’s unique location at the border and in the town of Brownsville means that several law enforcement agencies are within minutes of our campus and would respond to an active attack,” said Jaime Salazar, vice -Associate President of Operations. “This prompted us to consider the need for a first responder coordination plan, which we hope we never have to use, but if we do, we are ready.”
The new coordination plan will identify the capabilities and responsibilities of the agency and stakeholders, consist of an incident command system, identify an incident command post and staging area, and provide an execution plan. for discussion and operational exercises.
“TSC’s vision for an advanced emergency management system to increase safety, mitigate risk and maintain a safe environment for learning and working at TSC has been established, and the first responder coordination plan will move forward. higher level, â€said TSC President Jesus Roberto. Rodriguez. “This proactive approach ensures that our university community feels safe and that we have a plan in place when needed. ”
In the college’s preventive approach to emergencies, the TSC has integrated a new safety and security command center that will serve as an incident command post with a crisis communication room and a conference room. in the event of natural or man-made disasters.
In addition to TSC’s new coordination plan, emergency response already includes emergency notification, security protocols and a growing security presence with an established partnership with the Brownsville Police Department.
Brownsville Police Chief Felix Sauceda said creating an emergency response plan will give everyone a cohesive understanding of responsibilities and eliminate confusion when time counts.
“Having an emergency response plan will reduce confusion during emergencies,†Sauceda said. “Having all of our local agencies discussing how we should approach any crisis will benefit not only the TSC community, but the entire Brownsville community. “
Salazar said establishing coordination and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies has been a long-standing goal, and he is delighted to see this becoming a reality.
“Bringing security and emergency technology, coordination and collaboration has always been our goal,†said Salazar. “I would like to thank the TSC Board of Directors and President Rodriguez for prioritizing, investing and supporting the safety and security of TSC and our surrounding communities.”
