Universities

James Lee Witt Associates has developed an exciting new practice area that will help protect millions of people across the country: creating disaster resistant colleges and universities.

There is a great deal to protect on a college campus. First and foremost are the students and faculty. There are also billions of dollars in buildings, libraries, laboratories, hospitals and in many cases historic architecture that must be protected. Further, the reputation of an institution of higher education can be built or lost on its record of safety and security. Positive steps to create a safer environment on its campuses can improve reputation as well as recruitment.

Many schools are located in disaster prone areas such as on or near earthquake fault lines or hurricane prone coastlines. Others may be in urban areas where protection from terrorism is a major concern. And in today's state of heightened security, it is imperative that these institutions be prepared for new and unexpected dangers.

James Lee Witt Associates works with the leadership of the university as well as the public safety and faculty on training and exercises, teaching and honing the Incident Command System, developing emergency planning, preparedness and mitigation programs which may include hardening facilities to withstand the effects of disaster.

Should a disaster strike a university, JLWA works as a liaison between the university and local, state and federal governments to help the institution through the response and recovery and helps develop a mitigation plan to ensure that facilities are built back safer.

Our clients include, the California State University System, The University of California, The University of Houston and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.