West Liberty University is planning on keeping its students, staff and Hilltop community as safe as possible by following good planning techniques this spring.
From 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, the University will host major safety departments and first responders from three counties at Wilson Lodge, Oglebay Resort, as it brainstorms and acts out critical incident scenarios to stay alert for possible future situations.
“We’re always working to keep campus safe and this gathering will help us to plan and prepare for possible problems. Safety is on the top of our minds every day,” said Lt. Tom Hostetler, WLU campus police lead officer. West Liberty University enjoys the presence of a paid professional police force on duty 24-7.
Attending the planning meeting will be: Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Association Director Lou Vargo, Ohio County Sheriff Pat Butler, Brooke County Sheriff Chuck Jackson, Marshall County Sheriff Kevin Cecil, Wheeling-Ohio County 911 Director Theresa Russell, Wheeling Police Department Chief Shawn Schwertfeger, West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bill Cox, Wellsburg Volunteer Fire Department Captain Tom Diserio, Weirton Police Department Chief Bruce Marshall, Wellsburg Police Department Chief Stanley Kins, Wheeling Fire Department Chief Larry Helms, West Virginia Department of Highways Jim Mitchem and others.
West Liberty University employees in addition to Hostetler attending the day-long training include: Health and Safety Specialist Anthony Salatino, Vice President of Human Resources Jim Stultz, Executive Vice President John Davis, Chief Information Officer Jim Clark, Chief of Operations Pat Henry, Student Affairs Area Coordinator Jim Compston, Media Relations Director Maureen Zambito and other employees.
Also the West Virginia State Police and Chesapeake Energy Corporation will have representatives present.
“We expect to talk about three on-campus scenarios: An explosion/fire, an active shooter situation and the outbreak of a contagious disease. If time permits, we also would like to discuss what we all might do if a gas line explosion occurred at either of the drill sites north or south of the Town of West Liberty,” said Vargo who assisted in planning the day’s activities.
“This meeting is to brainstorm ways our safety organizations may be able to help West Liberty University in the event of a large-scale critical incident on campus. This type of planning is invaluable,” Hostetler added. “We are grateful to Oglebay and to Rod Haley for their assistance in planning this meeting.”
Led by President Robin C. Capehart, West Liberty University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, please visit westliberty.edu or call 1.866.WESTLIB.
