AEDs, 'Stop the Bleed' kits and a new TAMT director were among the topics at the Staff Council meeting

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Staff Council members learned about life-saving equipment and other campus safety efforts during the council's August meeting,

Steve Patterson, interim vice president and chief safety officer, spoke to council members about his background and priorities and the work that the Office of Public Safety has been doing to prepare for the new academic year. Much of the focus has been on putting together the University safety website, which Patterson said is designed to be a one-stop shop for training, mental health services, building emergency plans and more. He also reiterated points he made during an Aug. 25 public safety briefing that he held with University President Robert C. Robbins about how each employee can help make campus safer.

"Awareness, awareness, awareness, awareness," Patterson said to council members during the Aug. 29 meeting. "I probably said it 40 times. What I would ask of you all is to go to the website, be familiar with your building emergency plan and know where your AEDs are."

AEDs are automated external defibrillators, which are designed to be used by non-medically trained people who witness someone collapse from a sudden cardiac arrest. The Office of Public Safety has been authorized to purchase more AEDs, and Patterson said his team is working to get "Stop the Bleed" kits, which are first-aid kits for trauma injuries, installed at all AED locations as well. (A map of current AED locations is available on the Risk Management website.)

In addition, Patterson encouraged employees to download the LiveSafe app, which allows users to send text messages, pictures, video and audio directly to the University of Arizona Police Department. The app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

"As you walk around the campus, particularly during off hours, you may see things that are of concern that I may not notice or see," he said. "You can let UAPD know."

Patterson also discussed new and coming additions to the University safety team. Jessie Semmann has been hired as director of the Threat Assessment and Management Team, which brings together trained experts in law enforcement, risk management, behavioral sciences, student affairs and other areas to respond to threatening or potentially violent situations. UAPD plans to hire a full-time victim advocate in the next two months, Patterson said. That person will help crime victims navigate the judicial process.

(Learn more about Patterson's campus safety priorities in a Q&A published in Lo Que Pasa in May.)

Other topics discussed at the meeting:

• Jim Sayre, executive director of Parking & Transportation Services, outlined the University's Park & Ride program, which allows employees to park their vehicles in lots around Tucson and ride a Cat Tran bus to campus, at a cost lower than other parking options. In early August, the office announced a new Park & Ride lot at the UA Tech Park at the Bridges.
• The Recognition and Awards Committee announced the four staff members who will be honored as Arizona Champions by the Office of the Provost for outstanding contributions to the University. They will be honored individually at football games this fall. They are:
  • Nina Bates, Director, Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Provost
  • Amy Miller, Senior Accountant, Financial Services
  • Olivia Miller, Director, University of Arizona Museum of Art
  • Fatemma Soto-Herrera, Project Director, Department of Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies, College of Education
• The Staff Council has updated its Representation website with new representatives, including the first from the University of Arizona Global Campus, which officially became part of the University of Arizona on July 1.
• The Professional Development Committee reminded council members that benefits-eligible employees are eligible for at least 16 hours of paid release time per year to pursue professional development.

The Staff Council is a shared governance organization that represents University Staff and Classified Staff. The council meets via Zoom the last Tuesday of each month throughout the year. Meetings are open to all employees. The next meeting is Sept. 26.

More information about the Staff Council can be found on the council's website. Anyone interested in becoming a Staff Council representative can apply online. Those who want more information can contact Melanie Madden, Staff Council chair and program manager for curricular affairs in Academic Administration.