NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following recent tragic events at Antioch High School, campus security at Trevecca Nazarene University is enhancing efforts to educate students and faculty on active shooter protocols. Chief Security Officer James Hambrick has revealed that the university has a standard emergency operation procedure in place in case of an active shooter, though the specifics are not publicly disclosed for security reasons.
The tragic shooting at Antioch High School on Jan. 22, where one person was killed and another injured, has spurred the university to focus on ensuring the safety of its community. This incident marked the second shooting at a Nashville school since 2023. In March 2023, a shooter at another school killed six individuals, including Trevecca alum Katherine Koonce, the head of The Covenant School.
To strengthen security measures, campus security is increasing internal training for officers and personnel, as well as planning upcoming training sessions for students, faculty, and staff. In the event of an emergency situation involving an active shooter, security aims to swiftly locate and neutralize the threat.
Hambrick emphasized that heightened patrols and increased visibility of security officers are intentional efforts to ensure the safety of the campus community. While there is currently no specific measure in place to assess individuals’ readiness for an active shooter situation on campus, students have previously received training through their primary and secondary education systems.
In terms of building security, all campus housing is secured with key card or physical key access. Although academic buildings like the Mackey Education Building and Wakefield Fine Arts Building may not always be locked, security personnel or professors have the ability to secure them in emergency situations. Effective communication during emergencies was underscored by Hambrick, who urged students to report any suspicious activity without hesitation.
The university utilizes an alert system to promptly notify students and faculty of threats on their mobile devices, encouraging all members of the university community to sign up for RAVE alerts. For more information on signing up for RAVE alerts, individuals can visit the university’s website.