UT Public Safety

Congratulations to Ryan Setzer from our Industrial Worker Safety team for earning his Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) credential!

Issued by the BCSP, the STSC recognizes professionals who demonstrate strong competency in key safety areas like hazard monitoring, regulatory compliance, employee training, safety documentation, and coordinating solutions to workplace hazards.

This certification highlights Ryan’s leadership and commitment to creating safer work environments - especially in roles where safety is a critical part of broader responsibilities in construction, trades, and technical operations.

We’re proud to have Ryan on our team and grateful for the impact he makes every day in advancing safety across campus!

From day one, Ryan Steffy has embraced the fast-paced, ever-changing world of emergency management at the University of Tennessee.

Since joining the Office of Emergency Management in June 2024, Ryan has played a vital role in strengthening campus preparedness, reviewing plans, coordinating exercises, and supporting leadership during critical moments.

To further sharpen his skills, Ryan recently completed FEMA’s Basic Academy, an intensive 120-hour program focused on national standards and best practices in emergency management.

“The Basic Academy was an intensive experience, but it was incredibly valuable,” Ryan shared. “It didn’t just add knowledge, it refined how I think, plan, and coordinate.”

This milestone reflects Ryan’s dedication to continuous growth and UT’s commitment to building a safe, resilient campus community. We’re proud to have professionals like Ryan helping ensure we’re prepared for whatever comes next.

👏 Join us in congratulating Ryan on this achievement!

Congratulations to Officer Kaylyn May! A great accomplishment for UTPD.

🎉 Congratulations to Officer Kaylyn May! 🐾👏

We are proud to celebrate an incredible milestone as Officer May becomes the FIRST certified K-9 trainer in the University of Tennessee Police Department! 🐕‍🦺💙

After completing an intensive 8-week, 320-hour certification program, her hard work, dedication, and passion for law enforcement have truly paid off. This achievement not only marks a personal accomplishment, but also a huge step forward for the department’s growing K-9 program.

Thanks to her commitment, the department is moving toward more in-house training, stronger standards, and continued excellence for K-9 teams. 🚔🐾

Your dedication is inspiring, and your impact will be felt for years to come. Congratulations, Officer May, we can’t wait to see all you accomplish next! 🚔🐾

University of Tennessee Police Department Chief Sean Patterson and UT Office of Emergency Management Director Brian Gard visited the Knoxville Volunteer Rotary Club today to discuss their leadership roles at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and how the university prepares for and manages large-scale events.

During their presentation, Chief Patterson outlined the responsibilities of the University of Tennessee Police Department (UTPD), emphasizing campus safety, community partnerships, and coordinated response efforts. He highlighted the importance of proactive policing strategies and strong communication systems to ensure a secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Gard focused on the Office of Emergency Management’s role in preparedness planning, crisis response, and recovery operations. He explained how the university develops comprehensive emergency action plans and conducts regular training exercises to prepare for a wide range of scenarios, from severe weather to major campus events.

The presentation offered Rotary Club members an inside look at the planning, collaboration, and leadership that help keep the university community safe during both everyday operations and extraordinary events.

Last week was full of great conversations, hands-on demos, and campus collaboration - and we captured some of the moments along the way.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for Lab Safety Awareness Week and helped keep safety front and center at UT.
Swipe through to see some highlights from across campus!

Latest update on road conditions with a look around campus:

A look around campus today. Stay safe, stay warm and stay weather aware!

Lab Safety Awareness Week is coming up Feb. 9–13!
Join us for hands-on demos, tours, trainings, and campus-wide activities that highlight the spaces, people, and practices that keep our research community safe.
Check out the full schedule: tiny.utk.edu/lsaw2026

It’s a bitter cold morning on Rocky Top! Latest information posted in the link below:

Latest Winter Weather updates and expected impacts: