Liberty University’s new Emergency Operations Center will serve state as regional coordination site

In a formal signing ceremony held in its new headquarters Monday morning, Liberty University’s Emergency Management & Community Engagement (EMCE) Department was officially designated as the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Region 3 Coordination Center, a testament to the department’s preparation and commitment to safety on campus, in the local community, and across the state.

As a regional coordination center, Liberty’s Emergency Operations Center will serve as a base of operations for state departments responding to a declared state of emergency in the region, with access to Liberty’s workspace and state-of-the-art communications equipment. Region 3 includes Charlottesville, Farmville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, South Boston, Staunton, and Waynesboro.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist (Blacksburg) Phil Hysell, Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed, Del. Wendell Walker, State Sen. Mark J. Peake, and members of Liberty’s administration.

Vice President of Security & Public Safety Marcus Tinsley opened the ceremony by expressing the mission and priorities that formed the center into what it is today: a place where staff can serve effectively “from the first response to the end of the recovery.”

“This is a dream that has been living within our hearts for many years because our founder, Dr. (Jerry) Falwell, was famous for saying, ‘If it’s Christian, it ought to be better,’” Tinsley said. “As we stand here today, we used that mantra to build this emergency operations center. At Liberty University, we prioritize the safety and security of our community without exception. This EOC is a testament to that. Liberty University is a safe place with a model program to ensure safety and security. It is a blessing to stand here today, it is a testament to the wonderful blessings that our Lord is capable of bestowing.”

Liberty President Dondi Costin said the center is a symbol of Liberty’s past, present, and future partnerships with Virginia emergency operations agencies.

“This building represents all kinds of things,” Costin said. “It represents a partnership that Liberty University has always had with our community and region, it represents our commitment to excellence, it represents our commitment to safety, and it represents who we are as believers in Jesus Christ.”

Shawn Talmadge, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said Liberty will be a core partner in their efforts to provide effective emergency response in the region.

“This is truly a facility designed to support the community and designed to facilitate collaboration with multiple partners,” Talmadge said. “Our number one mission is truly one that I appreciate so much, and this is service to others. Today, I am so excited to sit down and formalize a commitment (to) working together and serving each other at this new facility.”

The agreement was signed by Liberty’s Director of Emergency Management & Community Engagement Jeff Hurtak, Costin, Tinsley, and Talmadge.

The center, located on Mayflower Drive, has expanded from what was once a task force into an office of 18 employees, including eight dispatchers, three emergency management planners, a senior communications supervisor, a senior emergency management planner, a training coordinator, and a community engagement analyst. Several members of the department have received advanced certificates from both the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and the Virginia Emergency Management Association (VEMA) and have worked with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to establish an office for VDEM within Liberty’s facility.

In addition to being named the Region 3 Coordination Center, Liberty was recently certified as a “StormReady” campus by the National Weather Service, one of four universities in Virginia (and the only private university) to receive the recognition. The StormReady program helps arm America’s communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property — before, during and after the event. StormReady helps community leaders and emergency managers strengthen local safety programs.