Emergency Management Coordinator
January 6, 2016
UT Tyler Office of Maketing and Communications
UT Tyler Appoints Emergency Management Coordinator
January 6, 2016
Media Contact: Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)
Randal Duke has been named the new emergency management coordinator for The University of Texas at Tyler, Mike Medders, UT Tyler police chief, announced.
Duke has been a member of the UT Tyler police department since 2012 where he served as a telecommunications operator and a public safety officer. Prior to that, he was a high school teacher and coach for 22 years.
"As a member of the public school system and a coach, Randal is extremely familiar with crisis management and his tenure in the UT Tyler police department has given him a better perspective of law enforcement responsibilities during an emergency situation, so I feel that he is particularly qualified to serve as emergency management coordinator," Medders said.
As EMC, Duke is responsible for the administration of the university's emergency management program and emergency operations plan. This includes organizing disaster drills and exercises, conducting risk assessments and risk mitigation recommendations as well as acting as liaison with UT System emergency management coordinator and outside emergency organizations.
"As a proud alumni of UT Tyler, and a Tyler native, I am thrilled to have an opportunity to serve the university and our students in a manner that will hopefully have a positive impact," said Duke.
The campus community will see more training and disaster drills in order to ensure that everyone is as prepared for an emergency as possible, Medders added.
One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.