Itasca, IL – On Dec. 7, the National
Safety Council will designate Murray State University in Murray, KY as a Safe Community
through its Safe Communities America program. Murray State University is the third
academic
institution, first public university and the 22nd in the United States to be
recognized as an international Safe Community.
Don Robertson, vice president for student affairs
and co-chair of the Murray State University Safe Communities Task Force,
believes the program gives the community further direction and support. “We are
very proud to be the third university and the first public university in the
world to be designated a Safe Community,” he said. “Being a part of this
program will assist us in furthering our safety and health efforts.”
The Safe Communities program
not only validates what the University is doing regarding safety and health,
but also helps recognize the work already being done. The process of putting
the application together allowed the University to see all the various programs
and activities, how they intertwined with one another and assisted with addressing
safety and health issues for students, faculty, staff and all visitors involved.
The application process was completed
in October 2012 when accredited Safe Community reviewers visited Murray State
University for a two-day tour. The visit included an overview of injury
prevention efforts and programs on campus. It was evident through the site
visit that MSU is student-driven, and has a never ending desire to learn from
the past, evaluate the present and work on a better future.
“We have been very impressed with the way all stakeholders at
Murray State University are working together to stay safe. They are better
positioned to prevent injuries and deaths through this collaborative approach,”
said Donna Stein-Harris, senior director of Safe Communities America for the
National Safety Council.
The international Safe Community designation is based on six
criteria:
A cross-sectional partnership responsible for the promotion of community safety
Long-term sustainable programs for all genders, ages, environments and situations
Programs targeting high-risk groups and environments
Programs documenting the frequency and causes of injuries
Evaluation measures to assess programs and the effects of change
Ongoing participation in national and international Safe Communities networks
Under the auspices of the World Health Organization
Collaborating Center for Community Safety Promotion, NSC is the International
Certifying Center for the U.S. through its Safe Communities America program. Safe
Communities America guides community stakeholders to reduce injuries and
promote safety for the residents of their community. NSC will present the Safe Community designation to Murray State
University on Dec. 7 at 7:30 a.m. during a Chamber of Commerce breakfast
to be held on campus.
For more information, please visit safecommunitiesamerica.org.
About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety
Council (nsc.org) is a nonprofit
organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths
at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership,
research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with
businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas
where we can make the most impact -- distracted driving, teen driving,
workplace safety and safety beyond the workplace.