Safety and Security Expo Highlights Preparedness

Members of the GW community connected with local resources and built emergency kits at the annual event.

September 28, 2018

GW Safety and Security

Members of the GW community assemble disaster preparedness kits during the 14th annual Safety and Security Expo in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom. (William Atkins/ GW Today)

The George Washington University held its 14th annual Safety and Security Expo Wednesday, where members of the university community had a chance to interact with representatives from local agencies, learn safety tips and assemble disaster preparedness kits.

Organizations gathered in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom, where they handed out information on fire safety, crime prevention, hurricane preparedness and campus security. The event is typically held in University Yard, but was moved due to forecasted rain.

A key component of the expo was an assembly line where students, faculty and staff put together miniature disaster preparedness kits filled with bandages, latex gloves, gauze, antiseptic wipes and the GW Emergency Response Handbook.

Darrell Darnell, senior associate vice president for safety and security at GW, said he was pleased with the turnout.

“Despite the weather and moving it indoors, we still had a great participation from the GW community,” he said. “During National Preparedness Month, it’s always great to see people take time from their schedule to learn about their own individual preparedness and assisting the Division of Safety and Security in keeping us safe.”

On a related matter, Mr. Darnell said 14 undergraduate and graduate student have been selected to join the Student Advisory Board (SAB), which was designed to build bridges between campus police officers and the student body. The SAB will hold its first meeting in the coming weeks.