Security

Casper College provides a fast paced, dynamic environment for learning to thousands of students each week. Campus security officers provide a reasonably safe and secure campus for all employees, students and guests. We are on campus 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Feel free to approach any of us or to give us a call. We are here to help!

Contact

John Becker
Campus Safety and Security Coordinator
Strausner Hall, room 204
307-268-2672

Emergency preparedness activities

August 30, 2023, Casper College Security and staff tabletop exercise aimed to support the Casper College community in assessing emergency plans, policies and procedures when dealing with a suicide, either on or off campus and knowing that Wyoming is in the top 4 states that has the highest number of suicides per capita. Scenarios that were discussed were suicides that occurred on campus, off campus, involving students and faculty, and a homicide / suicide occurring on campus. Using the Casper College Suicide Postvention Plan, discussing our roles as college employees, VP Student Services, Director of Campus Security, Director of Student Life, Area Coordinator, and Director of Public Relations. Discussion on the Casper College Suicide Postvention Checklist and updated to fit todays needs if ever a time we would have a suicide on or off campus.

May 17, 2022, Casper College Security, along with Public Relations, IT, Student Services, Maintenance Department, Administrative Services and Academic Affairs continued the table top exercise from December 9, 2021.  This is where the college, due to a major storm and Wyoming’s electric grid system shut down.  Once we concluded the table top exercise I asked the attendees, “What If…” due to federal funding cuts and the federal funding will go to ONLY four-year institutions and universities.  All community colleges federal funding will be STOPPED as of July 1, 2022.  With Wyoming having only one university Legislation advised that they would fund only 2 community colleges in Wyoming, Laramie County Community College and Sheridan Community College.  The reason that Casper Community College was not funded was due to the fact University of Wyoming Casper was on campus.  Casper Community College is CLOSED July 1, 2022 and will reopen June 30, 2023.  Having a “Catastrophic Event!

With no federal funding and very little state funding each department will be depleting staff and resources.  Salaries cut.  Shutting down buildings, heating, cooling, and electricity.  IT (information Technology) was given a dilemma on what computer servers do we shut down, or keep them active with a low trickle of power.  Student Services, working with students helping them to gather up the documentation that is needed to transfer to a university. Maintenance funds needed for the beautification of our campus to snow removal, what buildings on campus needed to be shut down but heated for the winter months, no custodial crews.  Administrative and academic personnel being laid off. No teachers.

With the college being shut down for three quarters of the fiscal year, 2022 – 2023, It is now April, 2023 and the funding is there to hire personnel back, to have IT to get the servers and computers back online, maintenance and security to open the campus!

What would Casper College do if we had to close our doors and had a “Catastrophic Event!”

December 9, 2021, Casper College Security along with Public Relations, IT, Student Services, Maintenance Department, Administrative Services and Academic Affairs were given a tabletop exercise that provided the opportunity to examine preparedness, response and recovery operations related to a catastrophic event. This exercise aimed to support the Casper College community in assessing emergency plans, policies and procedures, while also enhancing the overall campus resilience. The tabletop started off with a major winter storm coming into the state; a low pressure off the coast of California and a winter storm from northern Canada. The college experienced a power outage and within minutes the whole state of Wyoming is without power due to a failing power grid and lasting for approximately 31 days. Questions discussed were asked amongst the staff if the college was totally prepared to handle an event of this size, even though it was during winter break. With this tabletop we went an extra step that if Casper College was to close its doors at the end of the spring semester due to the lack of funding.

September 18, 2020, Casper Security along with Public Relations tested our Siren System and RAVE System. Giving the scenario to the Casper College Building Marshalls was that a tornado had been spotted on the ground at WY Blvd. and Poplar St. heading southwest. As the tornado came across Mike Sedar Park it came up the hill and dissipated into the clouds. Causing major damage to the upper and lower campus. December 10, 2020 the Casper College Building Marshalls and Campus Security continued the scenario as a table top exercise. Discussion was addressed on what to do with no outside support, Casper Fire Department, Casper Police Department and limited medical because of the residential damage in Casper. Thinking outside the box with accountability of the staff and students in the buildings and in place protection, where would you go? The Aftermath of the injured, knowing who and where they are. Casper College Emergency Response Guide, which is in the process of being updated for guidelines to assist members of the Casper College community in preparing for and responding to various campus emergencies.

“Operation Devil Dust,” Saturday September 7, 2019, Casper College hosted along with Casper Police Department, Casper Fire Department, Casper Natrona County Health Department, Natrona County Emergency Management, Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, WY Highway Patrol, and the WY Medical Center a full scale exercise. A suspicious vehicle is parked in front of Liesinger Hall. An individual jumps out of the vehicle carrying a bag and runs inside of Liesinger Hall. Checking out the vehicle there is an open and empty case with a radiological symbol on it. Contacting local law enforcement it is discovered that the individual came from Campbell County and has planned an attack using a radiological substance known as “Yellow Cake.” The individual runs to the second floor and takes hostages. He encounters law enforcement and throws the yellow powdered substance at his hostages and gun fire ensues. The male individual surrenders and is taken into custody. Everyone that was contaminated with the substance was decontaminated by the Casper Fire Department Decontamination Unit.

On Monday June 25, 2018, from 1-3:30 p.m., Natrona County Emergency Management and the Natrona County Exercise Design Committee facilitated a table top exercise held at Casper College, Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center. This exercise was designed around several real world incidents which have taken place during 2015-2017.

On Tuesday March 7, 2017, Casper College hosted and participated in a tabletop exercise with a scenario based on the pending solar eclipse. Among the other agencies playing in the exercise were the Natrona County Emergency Management Agency, Casper Police Department, Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Fish and Game Department, Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Casper-Natrona County Health Department.

On December 6, 2016, Casper College hosted and participated in a tabletop exercise designed by the Natrona County Office of Emergency Management. This exercise focused on the 2017 eclipse and its impact on the College. Other players will include law enforcement, fire, public health, hospitals, the school district and other public safety agencies. Among the scenarios presented will be an issue that requires the evacuation of all or part of the campus.

• MA – Maintenance Building
  • Mitch Masters* – 301A – ext. 2695

• MU – Music Building
  • Tabitha Siemens* – 137 – ext. 2606
  • Julia Whyde – 132 – ext. 2537

• PS – Wold Physical Science Center
  • Paul Marquard* – 210 – ext. 2250

• RANCH – Ranch Property
  • Frank Hodnett* – WA103 – ext. 2595

• RH – Residence Hall
  • Elizabeth Dobson* – 100D – ext. 2851

• SH – Strausner Hall
  • Patrick Amelotte* – 141 – ext. 2729
  • John Becker** – 204 – ext. 2672
  • Mike Hendershot** – 205 – ext. 2688

• TB – Erickson Thunderbird Gym
  • Robin Bisiar* – 136 – ext. 3000

• TM – Tate Museum
  • Dalene Hodnett* – 104 – ext. 3026

• UU – CC Student Union and UW at Casper
  • Amanda Fisher (Bookstore) – 102 – ext. 2202 / 2714
  • Devon Fulton – 404 – ext. 2638
  • Jessica Steward – 450 – ext. 2147
  • Daniel Parsons (Sodexo) – 107 – ext. 2126
  • Megan Shafer* – 402 – ext. 2394

• VC – Goodstein Visual Arts Center
  • Justin Hayward – 229 – ext. 2663
  • Mike Olson* – 141 – ext. 2509

• WA – Werner Agriculture Pavilion
  • Heath Hornecker* – 101 – ext. 2525

• WM – Werner Museum
  • India Hayford – 203 – ext. 2424
  • Eileen Lemm* – 203 – ext.

• WT – Werner Technical Center
  • Falon Cole* – 124 – ext. 2230
  • Emil Williams – 129b – ext. 2411

* Radio Assigned
** Have Completed CERT Training