Drexel partners with Homeland Security on campus safety

The ink is dry. The details are still solidifying. But the Department of Homeland Security’s new “Campus Resilience Pilot Project” will have an anchor in Philadelphia.

 Drexel University will work with the Department of Homeland Security to improve safety on campus. Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the partnership Tuesday, along with university President John Fry.

DHS has enlisted just seven schools to participate.

“All campuses around the country need to be prepared and have thought through ahead of time what to do if,” Naplitano said. “What to do if there is an active shooter? What to do if you have a shooter and a hazardous substance at the same time?”

The training would also help the campus deal with natural disasters and prolonged power outages.

The partnership will include training campus security and local law enforcement officers to respond to emergencies such as a shooting.

While the government can help, Napolitano said university communities know their campuses best. She says the agency will take best practices developed at Drexel and the other participating schools and apply them around the country.