UMW Safety Updates

On January 24, 2023, a high volume noise event occurred in the Dining Hall kitchen area.

An extensive follow up inspection of the Dining Hall and kitchen area was conducted by the Dillon Fire Department, Dillon Police Department, representatives from the State of Montana, and UMW Facility Services.

The source of the noise remains undetermined. There were no issues found with any electrical, natural gas, sewer, steam, HVAC or refrigeration systems in the area and local first responders/UMW Facility Services gave the all clear to resume normal activities in the area.

On 11-29-2022, the University of Montana Western Safety and Security Committee conducted a scheduled tabletop drill to test and evaluate our emergency action/response protocols and campus lockdown processes in the event of a disaster on campus. This drill was a part of the required yearly test of emergency response and procedures in accordance with the federal Clery Act.   

Tabletop Drill Procedures: 

• The tabletop discussion/investigation involved a hypothetical disaster that occurred on campus.
• Participants round-tabled a response plan of action.
• Response plan included responses from community first responders and the Dillon Police Department and the establishment of a Unified Command Center and Incident Command Center.
• The committee agreed it would be appropriate for the Chief of Police or their designee to assume command of the Unified Command Center on campus.
• The committee concluded the tabletop exercise flowed smoothly, but that improvements in the UMW Crisis Management process would help ensure a better campus and first responder response.
• During the drill, it was determined the circumstances of the exercise would meet the requirements for emergency notification to campus, under the Clery Act rules and regulations for timely warning notices to the campus community.

Follow-Through Activities: 

• Upon completion of the tabletop drill, the committee conducted an in-depth evaluation of the current emergency procedures, response processes, and campus safety plan.
• It was determined that the following improvements/updates were needed for UMW’s response protocols:
  • Incident Command Centers and Unified Command Center locations need to be evaluated to ensure appropriate technology and equipment are available for use during an emergency.
  • An updated departmental contact list needs to be provided to police and fire.
  • An additional off-campus evacuation center needs to be identified and MOUs established (if necessary).
  • Crisis Management team leaders need to meet with staff to do pre-work on department crisis-specific duties and processes. This work is to be completed by Jan. 31, 2023.
  • A follow-up drill will be conducted with fire and police in April of 2023, to assess updates to the crisis management response plan.

We would like to thank the university community and our local first responders for their assistance with the completion of this tabletop exercise.

If you have any questions, please contact Monique Schofield, UMW Safety Officer: [email protected], or text 406-925-2180

UMW is experiencing a power outage this morning, with full service expected to be restored around 9 a.m. by Northwestern Energy.

Facility Services is ensuring access to campus buildings is not impacted for exterior doors with card swipe systems.

Please contact your instructor or supervisor if you have any questions about how this may impact your class location or work routine this morning before power is fully restored.

If you need assistance, please call Facility Services at 596-2222 or 406-683-7142.