TCU’s campus includes many different buildings and departments, and each one plays a key role in preparing for emergencies.
The Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC) program supports Public Safety by helping coordinate preparedness and response efforts. BECs are appointed by their departments to assist with safety planning and to help evacuate or secure buildings during an emergency. Each department is also responsible for creating a Building Emergency Response Plan for its occupants.
If you’re interested in serving as a BEC or need help with departmental emergency planning, contact contact Sean Taylor, Director of Emergency Management, at Sean.Taylor@tcu.edu or Adrian Andrews, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Public Safety, at Adrian.Andrews@tcu.edu.
Complete a Building Emergency Action Plan
Update BEC Contact Information
Building Emergency Information
What is the Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC) Program?
The Building Emergency Coordinator (BEC) Program trains selected TCU employees to serve as on-site safety leaders during emergencies. Each BEC is annually trained and recertified to respond to life-threatening events, collaborate with other coordinators in their building, and help create a building-specific security plan. They also act as a point of contact for safety updates from TCU Public Safety and other first responders.
The BEC Program provides an added layer of security across all non-residence hall buildings. It ensures trained “eyes and ears” are in place to recognize emergencies, communicate clearly, and support efforts to reduce harm and protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors during a crisis.
How are BECs selected?
A primary Building Emergency Coordinator and alternate Building Emergency Coordinators are appointed by a designated administrator for each department, in every academic building on campus. Volunteers are also welcome and will be given serious consideration.
Who is the BEC Program for?
A Building Emergency Coordinator is generally a person who works in the building during normal business hours, has a general understanding of building activities, and has shown an interest in maintaining the safety and wellbeing of the building’s occupants.
What are the BEC Responsibilities?
Before a crisis:
- Meet with other BECs and concerned building occupants to discuss and develop an Emergency Response Notification Plan for the specific building
- Know and practice the Emergency Response Notification Plan for the building
- Maintain building awareness
During a crisis:
- As long as it is safe to do so, don your vest and execute your assignment
- Communicate with the other BECs within the facility
- Act as a communication conduit for the first responders
What is a “building specific” Emergency Response Notification Plan?
The TCU Department of Public Safety offers a 25 question Building Emergency Response Notification Plan Questionnaire as a template to create individual building Emergency Response Notification Plans. The questionnaire asks questions about each building’s unique security considerations as well as specific responses to the three TCU Alert messages “Lockdown”, “Evacuate” and “Seek Shelter”.
What are the training opportunities available for BECs?
The TCU Department of Public Safety offers annual BEC trainings sessions during the summer months. These training sessions will be made public by email and by posting on the TCU Public Safety website.
What equipment is issued to the BECs?
A purple BEC Megaphone
A purple BEC Vest
A purple BEC “Go Bag”
How do I get a building emergency response plan for my building?
To request the emergency response plan for a specific building, contact the Department of Public Safety at 817-257-4747.
Please complete form and email back to Director of Emergency Management, Sean.Taylor@tcu.edu