The U of M has announced new safety measures following a review of its emergency response to the unsubstantiated report of an armed individual on the Fort Garry campus on Nov. 19. This comprehensive review was conducted as part of the U of M’s commitment to continuous improvement under its emergency response plan.

The review, led by the emergency response team and U of M leadership, identified key areas for enhancement which was shared with the university community on Dec. 19 in an open letter from Michael Benarroch, president and vice-chancellor of the U of M. These areas for improvement include communication, education and infrastructure. Efforts are already underway to address these areas and strengthen campus safety for students, staff and faculty.

Communication improvements include expanding the use of the U of M Safe app for real-time updates and exploring ways to expedite emergency notifications. Greater coordination with the Winnipeg Police Service is also indicated as a priority to ensure seamless communication during critical events.

Education initiatives will expand training opportunities, offering annual sessions on safety protocols for the entire U of M community. Specific training sessions for faculty and units, as well as active threat preparedness training in partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service, are planned to enhance knowledge and readiness.

Infrastructure upgrades include ongoing updates to closed-circuit televisions, improving the campus loudspeaker system and installing additional code blue emergency poles to increase access to security services across the Fort Garry campus and the Bannatyne campus.

Implementation of these improvements has begun, with additional measures scheduled for 2025. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged by Benarroch to download the U of M Safe app and stay informed about safety programs and services offered by U of M Security Services.