College students have returned to campus, and the heads of security at Georgia Southern University (GSU) and Savannah State University (SSU) are committed to ensuring student safety.

To enhance security and safety, officials at both universities have implemented robust protocols and participated in specialized training, specifically for handling active shooter situations.

“Before the fall semester began, Georgia Southern University made a focused effort to be ready,” stated GSU Chief of Police Trey Drawdy. “We have conducted tabletop exercises with university leaders and recently teamed up with our local, state, and federal partners for active shooter incident management training. This training included fire services, EMS, law enforcement, emergency managers, and communications dispatchers. Additionally, we have rolled out an educational campaign among students.”

Similarly, SSU Chief of Police Clarella Thomas recently completed training, which covered active shooter procedures. She noted that throughout her career, the emphasis on active shooter protocols has become more prevalent.

“It’s tragic that we continue to witness these active shooter events,” Thomas commented. “We are continually assessing and enhancing our methods, whether that pertains to gate security or staffing requirements.”

Both GSU and SSU are dedicated to fostering a strong relationship between students and law enforcement, believing that this will create an environment where students feel safe to express concerns.

Both universities have apps they encourage every student to download on their mobile devices.

GSU’s app is called LiveSafe. It allows students to have real-time interactions with public safety and receive safety notifications.

SSU’s is called Everbridge. The app gives students safety notifications such as urgent situations or campus closures.