Game Day can challenge even the best safety and security systems. With large crowds, alcohol, drugs and plenty of rivalry, campus security teams need their best playbook in hand.

Every event requires its own plan to keep students, staffs, and guests safe. Those plans should address contingencies to handle schedule changes, weather back-up plans, and medical or terrorism-related emergencies.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

• Create a security planning team that includes representatives from campus security, law enforcement and other local agencies.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of your security infrastructure. Review how many public address systems or surveillance cameras are available and in working order.
• Limit access to school buildings and unmonitored areas to reduce possibly harmful incidents or threats.
• Place guards or security staff in trouble spots, such as parking lots and under bleachers.
• Provide special clothing, such as vests, T-shirts, jackets or badges, for security staff so they are easy to identify. This simple step promotes organized crowd control and demonstrates that staff are in place to help detect unwanted behavior.
• Properly train security staff to recognize signs of a security issue and have an action plan in place. Plans should include how to evacuate a stadium in an orderly manner and roles for staff to undertake in case of an emergency.
• Use video surveillance to help prevent harmful incidences and to investigate threats or unruly behavior.
• Staff each event with staff members that are trained and thoroughly familiar with the emergency lockdown procedures. Equip all staff members with a mobile radios or phones connected to a central security network.
• Devise evacuation plans and distribute the plans.
• Set up a command post with appropriate security and emergency response officials. Supply the post with necessary resources for rapid response to incidents.
• Use available surveillance technology. Because campuses are more open and accessible, electronic security, access control and camera systems can help to identify threats before they become reality.
• Use metal detectors. Walk-through and handheld electronic screening devices add a visible and effective level of security.
• Establish communication systems for security staff members. Ensure that all communication devices are set up on the same frequencies and integrated with the main command center.

Let Ingersoll Rand build the right system for your facilities.

No matter how large or small your university, Ingersoll Rand can help you identify and implement security technology ranging from video surveillance systems to panic exit devices. Our experts can help specify the right products across the board for a new facility, or show you smart ways to retrofit existing and even historic buildings with state-of-the-art security systems. We can also work with your budget and show you how to implement your solution that optimizes security while spreading out the cost over time, beginning with everyday actions that can get you where you want to go.